Dealers invest in growing Audi brand

AUDI has announced that work has commenced on a new multi-million-dollar dealership in Doncaster, north-east of Melbourne, as the German luxury brand continues to upgrade its dealer network in Australia.

Around $40 million dollars will be invested across Audi’s retail network this year, with the new 5400-square-metre Doncaster facility – which is due to open in December – to be built using the brand’s ‘terminal’ design and able to accommodate an 18-car showroom, 35 external display cars and an 18-bay service centre.

Developed by the Penfold Group, the new dealership is expected to sell 800 vehicles in its first year, with 50 employees on the payroll.

Audi Australia said the development marks a major period of growth for the brand in Victoria, and is part of a strategic plan to meet increasing customer requirements in both sales and aftersales areas of the business.

“This project, along with many others which are under construction around the country, represents Audi’s growing strength in Australia,” said Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle.

“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.

“Around $40 million in new facilities will be invested in 2014.” Audi Centre Doncaster dealer principal Kal Hassoun said the new facility should stimulate further sales growth for the dealership.

“We will soon offer the best facilities for people in the luxury car market and our main focus will be on offering the best-possible service for our customers,” he said.

“After seeing a very strong increase in sales and market share in 2013, deliveries to customers for the first quarter of 2014 have been similarly positive.

“However, with a new state-of-the-art-facility on the horizon, further growth is expected as our new development takes shape.” Audi sales across Australia are up 17 per cent so far this year, not far behind both BMW and Mercedes-Benz, while last year the brand broke through the 16,000-unit barrier for the full 12 months – a 10.1 per cent increase on 2012 and its ninth successive year of growth.