Articles by Carsguide.com.au

The Queensland group dealer is already preparing for a tough season of rounds in the 2012 Australian Off Road Championships, and he was delighted to have his co-driver with him in the honour parade at the Albert Park F1 weekend."It was an honour to represent the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and the Australian Off Road Championships at the Formula One festivities, and I was especially pleased that Dylan Watson my young Co-Driver (Glen Watson son) was able to participate in this experience," Pickering said.The 2012 Off Road Championship will see considerable change this year, and the Pickering team is already preparing their campaign."There has been a repositioning of events, with some being dropped and new ones added," Pickering said. "The first Australian Championship event will not be until June at Sea Lake in Northern Victoria. This is a track which I believe has something like a 40-year history of off road racing, and we're looking forward to its introduction into the championship."The opening round at Sea Lake - the Mallee Rally - on the Queens Birthday long weekend in June 8-10, marks the return of the fixture to the AORC after 10 years being off the calendar.It will be followed on August 3-5 by the Goondiwindi 400, which has been brought forward on the calendar due to the soaking October weather that has hampered the event in recent years. AORC organisers say the drier winter weather shoul allow the teams to test the full potential of their suspension on the famous Goondiwindi melon holes.The third round is the Teagle Excavations ARB Pines Enduro at Millicent in South Australia - an exciting race set in the stadium style arena at Teagles Quarry and Tantanoola Pine Forests.The 2012 grand finale is a brand new event - fittingly also on brand new terrain - at Gatton in Queensland's Lockyer Valley. But for Pickering's team, those four main events will not be the only action. "We will do as many Queensland and local events as we can in the interim - although the floods have caused the cancellation of many events."Pickering said while his petrol-engined Mitsubishi Pajero was being readied for the 2012 season, the team was still working on plans to eventually race with a diesel vehicle."We would like to get a diesel engine  to full race spec. It would be great to race a vehicle with a diesel engine, which is now almost 100 per cent of all vehicles sold in the series production class we race in."Australian Off Road ChampionshipRd 1 Sealake - VIC 8-10 JuneRd 2 Goondiwindi – Qld 3-5 AugustRd 3 Millicent - SA 7-9 SeptemberRd 4 Gatton – Qld 10-11 November

The properties have been put up for sale with price expectations of up to $30 million.  Chesterton International is marketing the assets. The properties involved are two former car dealerships close to each other in Leichhardt and Petersham, situated on Parramatta Road, Sydney. National Australia Bank tipped the Sydney car dealership into receivership last September over an outstanding $53 million loan.  Gates were padlocked at the nine Damelian dealerships after receivers Ferrier Hodgson were appointed to the business by the National Australia Bank. Early efforts to sell the business and property after the closure had been unsuccessful. "Unfortunately there was not sufficient cash flow to sustain the business long enough to complete a more extensive sale process,'' a spokesperson for Ferrier Hodgson said via a statement at the time. "The receivers have been left with no alternative but to close the business.'' A thorough investigation of the Damelian group's financial position and performance had found that it was impossible to continue operation. Later attempts to sell the business failed when no suitable offers were received.  The collapse was a major blow to the founder and flamboyant frontman of the business, Rick Damelian. The company's demise has been attributed both to the global economic crisis and the departure from the company about four years ago of Rick's brother Robert, who is said to have been a driving force behind its success. Hundreds of cars were repossessed and the major Parramatta Rd dealerships were closed, including Australia's largest Honda outlet. The Damelian dealerships were once a glittering array of premium car yards boasting enviable facilities, including a business centre for VIP customers, which was akin to a frequent flyers airport lounge, along with a small restaurant.

Annlyn Motors in Penrith, NSW, has been awarded Volvo Car Australia's Dealer of the Year 2011 for the second time. The dealership was last awarded the title in 2004. Annlyn Motors also secured top spot for the Aftersales Dealer of the Year. The Dealer of the Year Award recognises a dealership that has consistently achieved the highest of standards.  Outstanding customer service, professionalism and all-round performance across 13 key criteria underpin this prestigious award. This year's award ceremony had special significance, given it was held during the fourth stopover for the world's toughest sailing competition, the Volvo Ocean Race. "To win the Dealer of the Year award is a great achievement for any member of the Volvo Car Australia dealer network," said Matt Braid, managing director of Volvo Car Australia. "And like the teams competing in the Volvo Ocean Race, the entire business must work together showing true dedication and determination." "The award signifies a commitment to excellence in all areas of the business and, of course, an unwavering commitment to the brand. Annlyn Motors has once again demonstrated its dedicated approach to customers, staff and Volvo Cars," he added. Mr Braid and Volvo Car Ambassador, Matt Shirvington, presented the Dealer of the Year Award to Annlyn Motors' dealer principal, John Dunn, at an exclusive awards dinner at the Auckland Museum in New Zealand. "Volvo's Dealer of the Year award comes as a bit of a shock, really," said Mr Dunn. "To achieve such and prestigious award doesn't come easily and requires hard work and commitment from the entire team. We have a fantastic team at Annlyn Motors that understand the principles of the business, and are enthusiastic about the Volvo brand. "It's all about the customers – repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals are the cornerstone of our business. It's why we try so hard to ensure every customer has a great purchase experience." This is the second time Annyln Motors, which celebrates its 15th year as a Volvo dealer in 2012, has won the coveted award. The dealership was last awarded the title of Dealer of the Year in 2004. Annlyn Motors also secured top spot for the Aftersales Dealer of the Year. "Sometimes aftersales is an understated part of the business, so to pick up the Aftersales Dealer of the Year award, too, is fantastic. Tonight is a great result for the whole team. Thank you again," added Mr Dunn. Other winners on the night included: Volvo Car Australia recorded strong success in 2011, delivering 5271 retail sales. And 2012 has continued that strong track record, with January up 27.8 percent and February up 30.1 percent.

The new facility in LaTrobe Terrace, Geelong, has been designed using Audi’s CI with signature use of honeycomb-pattern brushed aluminium, but has also been localised with the input of Geelong’s McGlashan Everist Architects and Lyons Constructions to meet local requirements.“As an old Geelong Family, we always use Geelong local businesses,” dealer principal Brett Gorell said. “McGlashan Everist Architects worked closely with Audi, but understood the City of Greater Geelong Council requirements, and Lyons Constructions have been close to the Gorell Family for many years.”He said Lyons Constructions have entered the project into the 2012 master Builders Association Regional Builders Award.Audi Centre Geelong saw sales increase 40 per cent over 2011, and Mr Gorell said the 1600 square metre facility was expected to further grow sales, particularly of used cars,“We anticipate a further 10 per cent year on year until 2015, when Audi will increase the number of models and with the introduction of the Q3,” he said.  “Also we believe used vehicles will increase 25 per cent due to increased display presence.”Audi Australia managing director Uwe Hagen said the new facility represented the brand’s growing strength in Australia. “It is part of our strategic development plan to prepare our facilities for the expansion of the Audi model range in the next few years,” Mr Hagen said.Mr Gorell said the increase on local sales was also signpost to Geelong’s current economic health.  “There is no doubt the so called seachange and life style is attracting more executive personnel … Geelong is no longer an industrial city,” he said, adding that community response to the new building had been good.“The Geelong community appreciates excellent facilities and the neat relaxed property replacing residential on a major road,” he said.The new Audi Centre Geelong has been trading from early this year, and an official opening will be held on March 22 for more than 150 guests.

Lender Secure Funding appointed insolvency firm McGrath Nicol last week, with receivers and managers Shaun Fraser and Mike Hill taking up responsibilities immediately. “They are evaluating the business and their aim is to sell it as a going concern,” says a spokesperson for the firm. “They’re aiming to get a sale process beginning shortly and at the moment is it is business as usual - sales and service are taking place under normal conditions. “The property is leasehold and the receivers at this point are saying they are confident of being able to sell the business as a going concern.” The Dale Ford dealership on the Hume Highway, Bankstown, has a long history in Sydney – and was once owned and run by racing legend Sir Jack Brabham. It grew into a flagship among a network of dealerships throughout western Sydney. The current name was given by Ian Dale, who bought the business in the mid-1980s. Owners Rex Conway and John Stark had worked for Dale Ford during the 1970s and 1980s before taking over the dealership. Ford spokesperson Sinead Phipps said the manufacturer was considering the role and need of a Ford franchise remaining in the area. “We’re working through that at the moment – we need to see what the receivers come back with in the short term,” she said. “It’s a significantly sized dealership, so we would imagine they have a large service client base. For those customers who need their vehicles serviced there are other alternatives in the general area – but they would have to drive some distance. That’s just one of the things we’re looking this week.”

And your dealership could be the one to collect it in Carsguide.com.au's Showroom News sign-up. Shipping issues from Italy meant the 2012 Pirelli Calendar was delayed in getting to Australia - and it could have been the massive weight of the novel design that was to blame. But we don't mind, because it’s certainly worth waiting for. And the dealership that wins it will agree. Everybody in Carsguide.com.au wants it. And some of the bribes, offers and even threats have been pretty persuasive. But not good enough to keep us from offering it to you. And whether the winning business keeps it – or perhaps presents it to a valued client – it’s a rare and prestigious object. It’s one of just a handful that come to our shores as special VIP gifts. And the dealership that wins it will be happy to know that this year’s boxed format means they can swap around any of the pages for any month. The 2012 calendar is a massive 64cm square and weighs 6kg. It has 25 pictures, in both colour and black-and-white, and the costly printing and packaging includes canvas linings and matt-black backgrounds. The images were shot by famed fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti, who spent a week in Corsica working with Kate Moss, Milla Jovovich and other stars to get the sun-soaked result.  Last year’s calendar was photographed by legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, the maestro of Chanel. From his Paris studio, Lagerfeld created a tribute to ancient Greek and Roman mythology, with 36 monochrome photos. Other famous photographers who have shot the Pirelli Calendar in the past are Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon. So how will we pick a winner? From the emails that are subscribed to our Daily Showroom News. If you’re getting this message it means you’re probably already subscribed. But if you’re not – or if you want to increase the chances of your dealership winning the calendar by getting others to subscribe – you can do it here: Carsguide Daily Showroom News The winning email address will be chosen using a randomiser program on March 16.

  The Morphett Vale dealership is part of the large South Australian Autogild group, but goes to great effort to make customers feel they’re in a small local business. “Most people who walk in the door are known by their first name,” Grand Nissan general manager Gavin Mackenzie says. “We want them to know we acknowledge them as a person, not a faceless number.” “I think emphasising the local connection really resonates with our customer base. We’ve been serving the southern area since 1990 and we try to make it a one-stop shop for people – sales, service, finance.  Customers tend to be happy with their experience here and we get a lot of repeat business.” Mr Mackenzie says emphasising the community connection is part of the dealership’s training processes, and translates into every part of the business. “We’re very involved in the local community, and most people who work here live in the area. “We cater for everybody, obviously, but we tend to go to a lot of extra effort for the local people. We’ll bring a car out to a customer for them to see. And being part of a large group we can show people more – our entire range of used car stock across the State, for example – and if they see something they think they’ll like we can arrange for the car to be brought here.” Mr Mackenzie says the local aspect extends to him felling like he has come home in returning to Grand Nissan after a few years in other parts of the Autogild Group. “I started here at Grand Nissan as a sales person not long after it opened 20 years ago. I then became sales manager, then general sales manager then general manager in 2005, before moving to Autogild’s Metro Holden Prospect branch for some years. Then I came back in January this year. Mr Mackenzie is not the only long-termer at Grand Nissan, he says. “Some of the original people are back as well. Nick Doyle has been here for nine years – he started as a sales person, and is now new car manager.” He says his passion for the industry hasn’t ever waned. ``The car industry is as exciting now as it's ever been. I've been in this industry for 24 years. I have to say, this is the best job in the world.''

The little electric car’s arrival into their Brisbane showrooms has sparked them to offer a series of seminars to help the business community learn how to slash their power bills. The first series of seminars will see businesses heading to the Newstead dealership on March 19 and April 23. “We saw this as a logical choice in supporting our local business community while introducing the new I-Miev technology,” Eagers Mitsubishi General Sales Manager Michael Wroe said.  “The seminars will be overseen by Dennis Hensman - who has been conducting these seminars nationwide as the i-Miev rolls out across the country - and a team of experts in the field.” “Our initial goal is to reach small to medium businesses with in Brisbane who have direct control over their power usage which affects their bottom line. It’s about informing people how to make smart decisions in regards to energy consumption,” Mr Wroe said. While Eagers Mitsubishi is expecting to see about 40 guests at each of the first two seminars, Mr Wroe said that is likely to build for future programs. “We are definitely expecting an increase as awareness grows,” he said. “If the response to the launch seminars is strong, Eagers Mitsubishi would definitely consider more regular seminars should they prove to be a benefit to the local business community and this would naturally be based around the release of future models such as the PHEV Outlander due towards the start of 2013.”

Doncaster BMW has lifted the luxury bar to record levels in expanding its showroom and facilities. Customers will get top-shelf treatment with an executive observation deck offering 360-degree views over the Macedon Ranges, Dandenongs, Melbourne’s city skyline and the airport – a wine cellar, café and lifestyle shop. Even the staff get al-fresco dining. It sounds like a six-star resort, but it’s Doncaster BMW’s design for offering a first-class experience from start to finish. Opening mid-year, the $30 million worth of new and upgraded developments will include a 60-vehicle showroom over two floors – and the largest demo fleet of any metro BMW dealer – a 26-bay service centre and 200-vehicle car park. The new vehicle space will include a dedicated Premium Selection showroom, a Mini Garage and an outlet for BMW’s two-wheeled Motorrad range, all with the latest BMW Ci. Behind the scenes are three boardrooms and two elevators – one for people and the other for pampered vehicles – and a whole lot more, with attention paid to every tiny detail. “Building works on a developed site are always far more difficult and we decided to bite the bullet once instead of doing things half hearted,” Doncaster BMW Managing Director Ingo Reisch said. “We also believe that offering choice coupled with a stunning facility will further complement the BMW and MINI brands.” Mr Reisch said the overall plan was sparked first by concepts of the kind of facilities and services the dealership wants to offer. “First came our focus on service and customer experience – and these were then developed further with the design and feel, which is partly linked to BMW Corporate Identity Guidelines and partly our own ideas,” he said.  

New showrooms, new workshops, new spare parts - it’s all going to be ‘brand spanking new’. Dealer principal David Mete said his company had bought a former doctor's surgery and neighbouring former bakery on Byrnes St.Plans were well underway for a massive revamp to create a premium quality auto dealership."It's a massive investment in Mareeba and district, and recognition of the support from locals that we have received," Mr Mete said.The new facility is anticipated to be open by the end of the year and will bring all aspects of the business, including workshop facilities, under one roof."It will be more comfortable and more appealing for customers and more efficient and effective for us as a business, and that in turn will also benefit customers," Mr Mete said.The new premises, at 313-315 Byrnes St, would retain a significant portion of the former bakery, but would undergo a transformation that will leave it largely unrecognisable. "And we have new models such as the Mazda CX-5 (available from March 1) and as always, great deals to benefit customers," Mr Mete said. "It is going to be exciting time for us and hopefully, an exciting time for our customers as well."