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THE FRIDAY INTERVIEW:PAUL WILLIS, MANAGING DIRECTOR VOLKSWAGEN GROUP IRELAND:HINDSIGHT IS a recurring theme in motor industry conversations these days. Just like the property market, the car industry is awash with people who seemingly predicted the collapse in sales.

Ask Paul Willis if he would have taken on the role of managing director of Volkswagen Group Ireland had he foreseen the enormous collapse in new car sales and he emits a brief chuckle. “It wouldn’t have made a difference,” he says. “There was a job to do and you can’t just think short-term.”