focusinterview.
BELOW ROSS HARDES AT HIS MERCEDES DEALERSHIP; CELEBRATING OVER 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS IN THE MANNING.
BELOW A YOUNG ROSS HARDES (CIRC 1960) AS PRINCIPAL OF TAREE MOTORAMA; THE CAR PICTURED IS A SUNBEAM RAPIER CONVERTIBLE.
I N G R A T B E C E L
rs a e y 50 over ness i s u b e in th
Ross Hardes, Principal of Taree Motorama - dealer of Mercedes Benz and Toyota in Taree, is proud to celebrate over 50 years in the trade. From humble beginnings working for his parents' dealership and a small employee base, Ross
now enjoys a growing business that employees over 40 local people and credits his success to a simple philosophy of exceptional customer service. Louise Beaumont caught up with Ross to talk about the milestone ... ow did your career as a motor dealer begin? I started work here on the 25th November 1963; it was a family business under the banner of the "Rootes Group". We sold Hillmans, Humbers and Sunbeam - English cars. My parents, Kevin and Ella, started the business in 1956. My father had asked me to join the company in the early '60s. What was it like selling cars back then? We didn’t have the multitude of choice in cars like we do today. There were few dealers back then in Taree - just Ford, Holden and a Crysler dealer. We were Taree Motorama and still are. You’ve been working for 50 years now as a motor dealer - how have things changed in business during those years? When I joined the business, we had 3 staff; in 1966 we took on the Toyota franchise - which back then was split into two companies - York Toyota, who distributed the passenger cars, and Theiss Toyota, who distributed the commercial cars. In February 1967 we took on the Mercedes dealership, which we are proud to still run today. The Mercedes Dealership has been very successful for you - tell us about some of the accomplishments? We have been Mercedes "Dealer of the Year" seven times; this can be attributed to the work we have done for our customers and also includes the facility, after
sales service and a multitude of other conditions that your clients. they test us on. What has made you love doing business in the We have a customer who has bought 43 NEW Manning for all these years? Mercedes-Benz vehicles from us since his first purchase There are so many business people in Taree and The in 1975 … he travels from Newcastle to buy from Great Lakes area that over the last 50 years have had Taree Motorama. great foresight to make these areas what they are How involved are you in the business today? today. I can remember as a young boy travelling to Have you taken a step away from the Forster from Tuncurry by a ferry – yes, times front? have changed. No, I’m still here - Dealer Principal So I have been very lucky over and Director of the Company the last 50 years to witness the en be ve We ha ler ea "D (chuckles). s growth of our wonderful area de ce er M times; n ve se So what did you do to and to meet so many people " ar Ye e of th ibuted to tr at celebrate your 50 years? who have left the cities be n ca is th ve done Louise, after 50 years of and retired and implanted the work we ha ers and working, one does slow themselves into our local for our custom facility, e also includes th and down; to celebrate this community. ice after sales serv milestone I had lunch with my I was a Rotarian for 12 other a multitude of wife, Helen, and family. years with Taree Rotary Club; st te they conditions that What are some of your I have been a member of Taree us on.” business philosophies? Golf Club since 12 years of To work for 50 years doing the age - I was one of two only junior same day in day out, you have to be: members who were accepted into the 1. Committed to your product, which is of club in those days. course Toyota and Mercedes-Benz Do you play a lot of golf these days? 2. Treat your staff as family No, but I am going to! 3. Be honest and respectful to your clients, which Thanks Ross, and congratulations on 50 years as a results in repeat business. Motor Dealer. I guess my goals and visions have not changed, but Taree Motorama is located at 46 Victoria Street, we are in a very competitive market so to be successful Taree NSW 2430. If you would like to call us, please you have to work much harder to receive respect from call (02) 6539 3333.
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