Modern Tyres acquires BestDrive Ireland
Modern Tyres and Continental Tires today announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of BestDrive Ireland, a leading Irish tyre specialist and vehicle maintenance company, by Modern Tyres.
Modern Tyres, a family-owned business with more than 60 years of experience, operates an extensive network in the Republic of Ireland.
The acquisition of BestDrive Ireland significantly expands its reach across the country, offering customers a wider footprint and even more choice in products and services.
“We are delighted to welcome the BestDrive Ireland team into the Modern Tyres family,” shared the Modern Tyres senior management team. “Their reputation, professionalism and customer-first mindset align perfectly with our values. We look forward to building on their achievements and shaping a strong future together.”
BestDrive Ireland has been part of Continental Tires for over three decades. With over 200 employees across the company’s Dublin head office and sales, branches and apprenticeship teams, the company has built one of Ireland’s most respected aftermarket automotive networks with a reputation for quality, reliability and customer trust.
“This step marks a positive and strategic development for all parties involved, including our employees,” said Ian Feddersen, managing director of BestDrive Ireland. “As market requirements evolve, this transition allows BestDrive Ireland to broaden its offering and continue to grow, realising its full local market potential. We’re confident that Modern Tyres will take our organisation into its next chapter with continuity, strong leadership and deep roots in Ireland.”
BestDrive Ireland will continue to operate as usual throughout the sale process, which is anticipated to be finalised by 1st September 2025.
The lay of the land as Modern Tyres buys BestDrive Ireland
Modern Tyres’ purchase of Best Drive Ireland is the biggest deal ever in the retail tyre business in Ireland. Modern Tyres already has 13 depots in the Republic and now has added over 30 more with its new purchase. In addition, Modern Tyres already operates more than 30 depots in Northern Ireland.
Immediately, it is clear that the Best Drive deal gives Modern Tyres access to Dublin City with eight depots inside the M50, where the company was not already represented.
It also gives Modern Tyres outlets in nine big towns where it did not have a depot. These are Athlone, Cavan, Clonmel, Kilkenny, Naas, Letterkenny, Roscommon, Tralee and Wexford.
In some areas it adds outlets in expanding urban areas such as in Cork City (now three), East Cork (now two), Galway (two), Limerick (now three), and Waterford (two). It also adds a second outlet in Carlow, Sligo and Swords, Co. Dublin. Meanwhile Co. Mayo now has three depots flying the new flag.
In Northern Ireland, Modern Tyres maintains two depots in several towns including Enniskillen, Newry, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lisburn, and Omagh. Therefore, it may retain all 44 depots that make up the new group, as fully operational.
BestDrive Ireland had a depot presence in 20 of the 26 counties and with Modern Tyres in one additional site, it leaves counties Clare, Leitrim, Longford, Meath and Monaghan as the areas where the new entity still hasn’t a depot.
You would imagine big population centres and/or key geographical positions like Arklow, Dundalk, Navan, Monaghan, Mullingar, Tullamore, Thurles, and West county Dublin would still be desirable locations?