Australia's largest Audi dealership opens in Melbourne

AUDI has flung open the doors to its completely redeveloped Audi Centre Melbourne at the northern end of the CBD, showcasing the largest Audi dealership in the southern hemisphere.

Development of the site kicked off in March 2013, forcing owner Zagame Automotive to temporarily house its stable of new models at the service centre on King Street in West Melbourne until the opening this month.

The all-new dealership cost $25 million dollars and was officially opened last week at a lavish event attended by 650 guests.

The new facility is 5000 square meters in size, sitting on the corner of Swanston and Victoria Street, and is big enough to house 40 cars across three levels.

Audi Centre Melbourne is also the first in the country to feature an Audi Sport showroom, with 200 square metres being dedicated to Audi's high performance sub-brand, featuring not only hot RS and R8 models, but also an extensive range of merchandise available for purchase.

With high-po S, R and RS model sales up 171 per cent over last year, Australia's appetite for hot Audis has seen 1744 units shifted to the end of August this year, compared with just 643 units over the same period last year.

Left: Audi Centre Melbourne owner Bobby Zagame.

Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle praised the flagship Audi dealership, saying “this stunning new facility truly encapsulates our Vorsprung durch Technik philosophy, and it will become a beacon for the Audi brand in Melbourne”.

Mr Doyle said he expects the new centre will allow “innovations in the way we will interact with customers, in a space that truly defines us as a premium brand.”

In addition to the extensive car showroom, the new facility will also accommodate two cafes, an extravagant lounge area for customers and a bespoke room for potential buyers to customise new Audis on a large interactive touchscreen.

According to Audi, even the exterior of the building is designed as a “true reflection of the Audi design philosophy,” calling it Audi Terminal architecture.

Speaking to GoAuto, Audi Centre Melbourne owner Bobby Zagame opened up about the hurdles faced with undertaking such a momentous project.

“There were plenty of challenges, especially being a CBD site as the density of the surrounding properties made it a challenge to develop,” Zagame said.

Mr Zagame also said this his new showroom would not place pressure on other local Audi dealerships and that feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive on all accounts.”