GENERAL Auto Spares Ltd, a stalwart of the local automobile industry, closes its doors at Half-Way Tree Road today after nearly 50 years in the business.

Gary Fong Yee, a director at the company, admitted that sales had sagged recently but said the decision to close was influenced by the pending retirement of one of its founders.

"Our uncle Leo is stepping away from the business soon, and the younger people basically want to go in different directions," Fong Yee told Auto.

Leo Fong Yee and his younger brother Leonard started General Auto Spares Ltd 46 years ago at Barry Street in downtown Kingston. In 1976, they re-located to Half Way Tree Road, specialising in parts for British-made Ford vehicles.

For the past 20-odd years, however, General Auto Spares Ltd established itself as one of the leading sources for BMW parts in Jamaica. Fong Yee said supplying the market with parts for the German vehicle had picked up, especially with the growing popularity of its X5, 3 Series and 5 Series brands.

Despite that, Fong Yee noted that sales have not been as buoyant as 10 years ago.

There are over 100 auto parts companies in Jamaica, most of them located in Kingston. The emergence of the used-car market in the mid-1990s resulted in increased competition for established parts dealers such as Tibby's Auto Dealers, Jaghai's and General Auto Spares Ltd.

Gary Fong Yee, who has been with his family's business for 38 years, said no decision has been taken on the future of its landmark property.

Management is currently staging a closing-down sale.

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