$13M Automotive Precinct Opens – Creates New Jobs in CBD

Premier Will Hodgman today opened Jackson Motor Company’s $13M Hobart City automotive precinct in Hobart’s CBD.

The Campbell Street facility, an initiative of JMC Managing Director and private developer Errol Stewart, features Audi and Volkswagen showrooms, extensive servicing capabilities, and a used vehicle yard.

The total land acquired at the facility is 12,300m2 and incorporates the Campbell Street site (formerly Brewsters), the new Battery World in Argyle Street, and warehouse facilities and land in Warwick Street.

More than 50 employment opportunities were created directly onsite during the construction process and the development allows for the expansion of the Hobart City dealership by an initial 10 staff, which will double within six months.

““This development is a vote of confidence in the Hobart CBD, we have seen our business grow in the city to the point where we needed a bigger and more exciting building to continue to build into the future,” Mr Stewart said.

“Audi and Volkswagen are very strong brands in Hobart and have experienced consistent growth,” Mr Stewart said.

“This is a significant milestone for our family business – it is important to us to reinvest in the communities we work in for the economic development of the state,” he said.

Dealer Principal Kristy Stewart said that the new facility would provide increased sales and servicing capacity.

“Expanding our operation in terms of space, facilities and people enables us to be even more responsive to the needs of our customers, which is particularly important for our dealership where we focus on providing an exceptional customer experience.”

Audi Australia Managing Director Andrew Doyle and Volkswagen Group Australia Managing Director John White opened their respective dealerships.

Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Doyle, said Audi is extremely pleased that such a statement facility is opening in Hobart.

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

“Supported by markets like Hobart, which is currently in the No. 2 premium position, Audi will achieve its 10th year of consecutive sales growth in 2014. In this time, the brand has sold more than five times its volume and we see Tasmania, and in particular growing markets like Hobart, as a very important part of this development plan for the southern states of the nation.”

Volkswagen Group Australia Managing Director John White also congratulated Jackson Motor Company on the expansion.

“We at VGA are proud of our long standing association with Errol Stewart and his family. We are extremely pleased and thankful of the significant investment that has been made with the Volkswagen Brand which will enable the delivery of a top notch customer experience for years to come,” he said.

JMC Hobart City will commence operations from the new dealership tomorrow – Saturday, 19 July with an Open Day featuring a jumping castle and three cash giveaways of $1000 randomly drawn from test drives. SeaFM’s Paul and Gabby will be broadcasting live from JMC.
Frances Hutchinson Southern Marketing Manager Stewart Group Tasmania