Porsche pushes into northern Queensland

PORSCHE Cars Australia has appointed the Motoco Group as its new dealer in Townsville ahead of the Queensland outlet’s opening in July.

Formerly Honeycombes Automotive, the Motoco Group has been operating in northern Queensland since 1991 and has built up a large multi-franchise business in both Townsville and Cairns across five automotive brands – Audi, Citroen, Peugeot, Great Wall and Foton Trucks – as well as motor homes, caravans and recreational vehicles.

Motoco Group co-owner Jason Collins, who has been dealer principal of Audi Centre Townsville, will become dealer principal of the new Porsche Centre Townsville, based at the current Mundingburra site on Bowen Road.

This will expand Porsche’s retail presence in Queensland beyond Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and take the German sportscar brand’s national dealer network to 14 outlets.

It currently has 12 retailers operating in all states and territories. Porsche Centre Doncaster in Melbourne’s east – run by the Preston Motors Group, with Raymond Smit named as general manager – is set to open on May 4.

In welcoming Mr Collins and his team as Porsche’s new business partner, Porsche Cars Australia managing director Sam Curtis said: “Establishing an official Porsche Centre in the region is in response to the growing car parc of Porsche vehicles in Townsville and North Queensland.

“More recently we have noticed a steady increase in Porsches purchased in southern Queensland making their way to the country’s north.

“As a premium brand it is critical that we provide our customers with the convenience of expert local Porsche servicing. In addition, the full range of Porsche vehicles will be available for sale through Porsche Centre Townsville.”

Porsche says Townsville is the tenth fastest-growing city in Australia and “the acknowledged hub for regional and state government business”. The city’s population is expected to reach 200,000 in 2015.

Mr Collins said Motoco had a proven track record in the region and was looking forward to servicing existing Porsche customers and bringing new buyers into the fold.

“The current range of Porsche cars is the best it has ever been and I can’t think of a better premium brand to be aligned with,” he said.

Continuing on from last year’s record sales of more than 2800 vehicles, Porsche was up 55 per cent at the end of the first quarter with 915 new registrations, thanks entirely to the all-new Macan compact SUV (386 units) – now the brand’s top-selling model, albeit one that is heavily restricted in terms of supply.

Its other model lines, including 911, Boxster, Cayman, Panamera and Cayenne were all down compared to the same period last year.

With Macan onboard alongside the strong-selling Cayenne, the two SUVs now account for more than 75 per cent of Porsche volume.

“These are very exciting times for Porsche in Australia and it is imperative that we grow our dealer network accordingly to meet the needs of current and future Porsche customers,” Mr Curtis said.