GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP
LUXURY AND CLASS
GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER
Former dealer principal Stan Lambrinos has overseen the development of the new building. Pictures: Rodney Braithwaite
The decision by Jaguar Land Rover to award dealership rights to Goulburn Motor Group kicked off the latest chapter in the organisation’s history. Consisting of Darryl Twitt Ford, Darryl Twitt Honda, Shepparton Volkswagen, Shepparton Jaguar and Land Rover and Audi Centre Shepparton, the group services new and used car buyers in northern Victoria and southern NSW. Dealer principal Jason Sherlock said discussions with Jaguar Land Rover started in 2014 when the group submitted a business case for bringing the luxury brands to the Goulburn Valley. “It took a while to convince them to spend their money with a provincial dealer, but in 2015 we were appointed,” Mr Sherlock said. The brands have operated from a temporary showroom with Melbourne Rd frontage in south Shepparton for the past two years but have now relocated to the new purpose-built facility. “Trading from the Melbourne Rd site has been good for us in helping to build the brand, but having everything on the one site now will improve efficiency,” Mr Sherlock said.
“It will be of benefit to the staff and to the customers to have all of our brands in the one place.” The appointment as dealer of the luxury Jaguar Land Rover brand, was the catalyst for the new development, which houses not only showrooms, but a state-of-the-art service centre and office space for the group’s administration unit. Mr Sherlock said the new building gave the team the opportunity to fulfil its wish to better showcase Honda, by incorporating a dedicated showroom and customer area for the brand, which this year is celebrating 50 years in Australia. Original dealer principal Darryl Twitt, his successor Stan Lambrinos and now Mr Sherlock have overseen strategic growth and significant industry change, both at a national and local level. Mr Lambrinos said the decision to court Jaguar Land Rover was carefully considered and had been an extensive long-term project.
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“Goulburn Motor Group entered the premium market with Audi, and that’s been a good experience both for the customer and the group,” he said. “With the addition of Jaguar Land Rover, we didn’t believe we could service the entire stable as well as was required, and as well as we would have liked, so we sold the Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Suzuki dealerships.” Other brands, such as Mercedes Benz and Daewoo, have been part of the group in the past. The new building signals a new era for the company, but Mr Sherlock said its core values remained unchanged. “We treat people as they expect to be treated — with respect. We’re not into high pressure sales here, we want to help people buy their new vehicles and follow that up with servicing and any issues they might have,” Mr Sherlock said. ■
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
SHOWCASING THE BEST
Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
Goulburn Motor Group’s new $4.5 million development will allow the dealership to showcase several of its premium brands to their full potential. Housing the latest model Jaguar, Land Rover and Honda vehicles, the impressive Midland Hwy site has been designed to maximise the customer experience. Featuring a bespoke fit-out with tiles and lighting imported from Italy, as dictated by Jaguar Land Rover, the showrooms have relaxed lounge areas, a café and display section offering branded merchandise. GMG Properties managing director and former group dealer principal Stan Lambrinos has overseen the project and said its completion would allow for the next chapter of the group’s history to be documented. “Over the past 12 years we’ve bought this land on a purely speculative basis; we’re always
thinking ahead,” Mr Lambrinos said. “The Midland Hwy frontage was part of our vision for the future.” The 10-car Jaguar Land Rover showroom has a custom-built delivery bay with a dramatic all-black interior, strip lighting at floor level and space to house a newly-purchased vehicle covered with black cloth for an exciting reveal. “That’s a special moment for people, unveiling their new car. They are able to exit the building from that delivery bay in their car,” Mr Lambrinos said. “It’s all about customer service and the customer experience.” An internet café allows customers to go online while waiting for their cars to be serviced, and
doubles as a design hub where new cars can be fully customised prior to purchase. Paint colours, design features and leather samples can all be selected with an image of the final product — someone’s dream car — projected onto a large screen in a virtual reality style. “There are hundreds of options and combinations for Jaguar Land Rover,” Mr Lambrinos said. In its own dedicated area, the Honda brand reigns supreme, with room for six of the latest models showcased in a light-filled space with high ceilings, strategic lighting and a customer lounge area. ■
GALA EVENTS MARK OPENING
Not one but two events have been planned to celebrate the opening of Shepparton’s newest vehicle showroom A gala evening will showcase the Jaguar and Land Rover brands and will feature several rare vintage models including a Mark IV that was originally owned by R.M. Williams and a 1952 Land Rover Type 1. As well as being able to see the range of stylish
new cars, those in attendance will have the opportunity to win a range of prizes including Land Rover and Jaguar drive-experience days. The Jaguar and Land Rover gala evening will be held on Thursday, May 16 from 7pm. The new Honda showroom will be the scene for
a silver and gold themed birthday party to mark Honda’s 50 years in Australia and Darryl Twitt Honda’s 25 years in the Goulburn Valley. Complete with cake and balloons there will also be great prizes on offer for lucky purchasers of vehicles in the months of May and June. ■
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
ENJOYABLE LEARNING CURVE
After being appointed the Jaguar Land Rover dealership in 2015, dealer principal Jason Sherlock is delighted the new showroom is open for business. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
Now leader of one of the region’s most prominent motor vehicle traders, Jason Sherlock had surprisingly little interest in cars when growing up. The dealer principal of Goulburn Motor Group spent more time on the football field than tinkering with cars and fell into the vehicle industry quite by accident. After his schooling in Shepparton, Jason relocated to Bendigo to complete an accounting degree at La Trobe University. “I went for a job at Terry Taffe Honda in Benalla Rd as an assistant accountant but I missed out on that job,” Mr Sherlock said. “When I graduated it was the middle of the recession and there were very few accounting jobs.” Mr Sherlock said Darryl Twitt offered him a sales role, which he did for a year, but after realising it wasn’t his forte, moved into administration there. In 1996 Mr Sherlock’s career path led to Melbourne and working in the accounting department of a Holden dealership before moving into the chief financial officer’s role with Penfold Motors, a substantial company with a 300-strong workforce.
Keen to return to the Goulburn Valley with wife Rachael to raise their young family, Mr Sherlock accepted an offer from then-dealer principal Stan Lambrinos to take on the general manager position at Darryl Twitt Ford.
“People used to pretty much drive a Ford, Holden or Toyota. When I started at Ford in 1992, Ford had 28 per cent of market share nationally, now it’s about six per cent.” “That was in 2007 and Rachael and I had always said if an opportunity to return to Shepparton came up we’d take it,” Mr Sherlock said. “I became a shareholder and dealer principal of Ford in 2010.” The industry had proven rewarding, Mr Sherlock said, with new technology and the continuing evolution of vehicle design ensuring there was
always something to learn. “It’s good fun, I love the vibrancy of the job and no two days are ever the same,” he said. “We try to make coming here a good experience for people; you meet people from all walks of life from first-car buyers through to those buying highend luxury cars.” Since starting out in the industry in the early 1990s Mr Sherlock said there had been many changes, most notably the demise of the Australian car manufacturing sector. “People used to pretty much drive a Ford, Holden or Toyota. When I started at Ford in 1992, Ford had 28 per cent of market share nationally, now it’s about six per cent. “There are so many more players now; there are about 70 importers of cars manufactured in Europe, USA and Asia. “It’s funny how I ended up in the industry, but it was really only because there were no other jobs around,” Mr Sherlock said. “It’s worked out for me.” ■
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
HELP TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
Sales manager Toby Balfour says the new showroom allows the dealership to display the luxury vehicles to maximise the customer experience. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
Helping customers make the right choice when buying a new or used car is one of the perks of the job for Goulburn Motor Group’s sales manager for Jaguar, Land Rover and Honda, Toby Balfour. And now, with the opening of the new purposebuilt complex, Mr Balfour and the team will have greater opportunity to showcase the premium brands to maximise the buyer experience. Having only been in the role for a few months, Mr Balfour has a solid background in the industry, previously having worked with the Volkswagen and Honda brands, and for the past six years as sales manager for Audi Centre Shepparton. He is looking forward to the challenge of building the presence of Jaguar and Land Rover in the region as well as the versatile Honda range, which will share space in the new building. “The new building, with the integration of the service centre, means our customers can get their vehicles serviced and see the product line-up at the same time,” Mr Balfour said.
“The showroom will give customers access to new technology and models from the manufacturer, as well as give us the opportunity to increase the exposure for new models. “Customers will be able to touch and get a great feel for the cars.” A range of vehicles will be on the showroom floor, including Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Jaguar F-PACE and new Honda HR-V. “Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover are luxury brands and whilst they are premium priced they actually represent great value. There’s a lot of history, especially on the Jaguar side, and the fit and finish of these vehicles mean they need to be driven to be appreciated,” Mr Balfour said. “The off-road capabilities of Land Rover are
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excellent; these vehicles are essentially like a mountain goat and people certainly get off the beaten track with them.” Honda, which recently celebrated 50 years in Australia, enjoys great customer loyalty to the brand and Mr Balfour said the price represented value for money. “The new model Honda HR-V is more aesthetically pleasing and its safety is second to none. Honda has been in Australia for a long time and the cars are well built and well-priced,” he said. Each of the brands offers training pathways and professional development courses so staff have an excellent technical knowledge of each vehicle, as well as the history, heritage and story behind the name. ■
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
THE MONEY MAN When you purchase a new or used vehicle at Goulburn Motor Group, Lachlan McIntosh will assist with the finance and insurance aspects.
Lachlan McIntosh arranges finance and insurance. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
As business manager for the group, Mr McIntosh obtains quotes from financiers and insurers so the customer can be confident they have the most suitable product for their individual circumstances. “I help people from the luxury car buyers to those that come in and say, ‘I’ve got $200 per week to spend, what can I buy?”’ Mr McIntosh said. He has been in the role for 17 years, having made the move from Melbourne with his wife and two daughters to enjoy a more relaxed country lifestyle. With no connection to the Goulburn Valley and never having been to Shepparton, Mr McIntosh saw the job vacancy in a newspaper in Melbourne, and since he was already in a similar role at a car dealership in the city, submitted his application. “I’ve never regretted the move,” he said. During that time he has built a rapport with repeat customers, organising finance and insurance for the same people multiple times, and dealing with several generations of the same family. “I still really enjoy it and I still get a buzz, especially when someone who doesn’t think they will get approved for finance does get approved,” Mr McIntosh said. “I’ve had women who didn’t think they would get finance cry when they’re approved; for them it means they could get extra work
The New home of luxury in the Goulburn Valley. Your adventure begins as you enter our new showroom. Your pulse quickens as you gaze at the range of sleek Jaguars – ‘The Art of Performance’ in a true gallery setting. The purposeful elegance of the Land Rover range emerges as you walk through past the internet bar, through the café and towards our new customer business centre. Your owner journey continues with our commitment to go ’Above and Beyond’ supporting your journey in our new 16 bay service centre. Come in, experience, explore and enjoy this new hallmark of luxury – where you can truly start to make the most of your world with Jaguar and Land Rover. Shepparton Jaguar Land Rover 8-10 Carroll Road Shepparton East 03 5822 5885 www.retailers.jaguar.com.au/shepparton www.retailers.landrover.com.au/shepparton LMCT9883
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because they had the mobility to get to their workplace. “A car is often the second-biggest investment people will ever make. Most have done their homework and are relieved to sign on the dotted line, and others are just very excited.” Mr McIntosh said his day-to-day workload involved taking an initial deposit for a new or used car, obtaining quotes from three different companies if finance was required, then seeing the process through from application to approval so the owner could drive away in their new car. Financiers include the Bank of Melbourne, which Goulburn Motor Group has dealt with for more than 10 years, Volkswagen Financial Services and Macquarie Bank, while insurance is negotiated with Allianz, QBE and Eric. “We have a choice of financiers who offer a range of different products, so I like to think we’re pretty competitive,” Mr McIntosh said. His office-based role requires ongoing training to remain abreast of industry regulations and compliance issues. “My role is to ensure that, despite recent changes and challenges in the finance sector, our customers can get the finance they need to purchase the vehicle that best suits them. Like an option offered on a vehicle, this can make the journey so much more enjoyable,” Mr McIntosh said. ■
GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
LEADING THE SERVICE TEAM As one of two service managers at Goulburn Motor Group, Joanne Whittaker will be responsible for the efficient operation of the service department at the new facility. The service manager for Ford, Honda, Jaguar and Land Rover joined the Shepparton team in June 2018, with more than eight years’ experience with other Ford dealerships under her belt. Ms Whittaker said her day-to-day role involved overseeing the team of 22 staff working in the service administration, service adviser, warranty, tyre fitting and alignment and technician areas. “The staff have been looking forward to moving into the new building, it’s very modern and has improved staff amenities,” she said. With nine hoists and 16 service bays, the new facility is almost double the size of the existing facility at the rear of Darryl Twitt Ford. A new system being rolled out is an Electronic Vehicle Heath Check, where technicians video parts of a car brought in for service, email the footage to the client with a quote for repairs, and if approved proceed with the work. As well as streamlining the service process, Ms Whittaker said it also made the system more transparent for the customer. Vehicle servicing and repair work involves using computer-based diagnostic equipment in modern service departments, and staff undergo ongoing mandatory factory training to stay abreast of new features. Having worked in the car industry for many years, Ms Whittaker said women were comfortable coming into the Shepparton dealership, which she attributed to the courteous staff who took the time to explain terminology in “layman’s terms”. “It’s not a men’s only domain here by any means, it’s pleasing to see so many women come in here and feel welcome,” she said. ■
Service manager Joanne Whittaker oversees the smooth operation of the department. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
Australians have been loving the unique combination of excellent engineering, clever design and incredible reliability that is Honda for the past 50 years. A New Milestone for Honda Darryl Twitt Honda has been proudly selling and servicing Honda vehicles in In the Goulburn Valley. the Goulburn Valley for 25 years. So this year we celebrate Gold and Silver in our brand new home. We look forward to the next 25 years.
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
DOUBLE THE SERVICE SPACE
With the appointment of the Jaguar Land Rover dealership, Goulburn Motor Group’s next step was to build a facility that would accommodate the luxury brands and allow for future growth. The result, after several years of planning, is a modern 2086 sq m building with showroom space, customer lounges, state-of-the-art service facility and a 230 sq m mezzanine level to house the administration team. Dealer principal Jason Sherlock said developing a new showroom was a condition of gaining the Jaguar Land Rover brand, so the group seized the opportunity to build the new expanded workshop at the same time. The new 16-bay workshop has nine hoists and will double the capacity of the existing service department behind the Darryl Twitt Ford dealership. Mr Sherlock said Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda and Ford vehicles would be serviced in the new facility, while the other service area would be dedicated for pre-delivery inspections and detailing. “Having the service department right next to the new car showroom helps maintain better relationships with our customers,” he said. Glass panels allow customers to view their vehicles being serviced, while they relax and enjoy a coffee in the lounge areas.
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“Our IT and administration for the whole group will be relocated to the new building, and we have a boardroom which we will offer to community groups to use for meetings,” Mr Sherlock said.
“It’s important to have a comfortable working environment for the staff, for safety and productivity.” Former group dealer principal Stan Lambrinos, who as general manager of GMG Properties has overseen the development, said careful consideration had gone into the planning to ensure the space was sustainable and met the needs of customers and staff. The 4900 sq m site has an outdoor car park for 50 vehicles and includes designated bays to house demonstration models available for prospective car buyers to trial. An exterior wash bay, which Mr Lambrinos said would be automated in the future, will wash new,
used, demonstrator and customer cars booked in for servicing, utilising water harvested from the substantial roof and stored in two large tanks “Automating the wash bay will allow us to reclaim 85 per cent of the water,” Mr Lambrinos said. The interior of the service department is wellinsulated and airconditioned to improve comfort for staff and the floor has a heavy-duty coating, also used in hospitals and food manufacturing plants, for durability and easy cleaning. “It’s important to have a comfortable working environment for the staff, for safety and productivity,” Mr Lambrinos said. An interior tool store securely houses the hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of diagnostic equipment and tools, and there is provision for a central parts store with a staff member dedicated to collating all items required for individual vehicle services. “Having the parts store here in the middle of the building will streamline the process for the technicians to carry out their work,” Mr Lambrinos said. ■
GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
BOOST FOR ECONOMY
When Goulburn Motor Group embarked on its new $4.5 million development it turned to a team it trusted, Rikys and Moylan Builders, to take the vision from concept stage to reality. Having already completed similar projects, including Audi Centre Shepparton and Darryl Twitt Volkswagen, the building company was aware of the expertise and skillset required to finish the task to an impeccable standard. Rikys and Moylan Builders’ director Glenn Rikys said the 12-month project contributed a significant cash injection to the Shepparton economy. “We always use local contractors and tradesmen and where possible we source 100 per cent of our materials here,” Mr Rikys said. “In terms of size it’s not the biggest project we’ve done, but in terms of cost it’s probably one of the most expensive we’ve done. “At any one time there would have been
upwards of 50 tradesmen on site.” Mr Rikys said the building company, which specialises in commercial builds and domestic homes and renovations, was proud to have been associated with such a significant project. “It’s been a great project for Shepparton and has done wonders for Benalla Rd. With Volkswagen, Audi and the new building the level of professionalism is high; everything they do, they do well,” he said. Group dealer principal Jason Sherlock said in addition to utilising a local building company, there were hopes the new facility would lead to increased employment in the future. “It’s important to be involved in your community,
supporting other businesses and clubs and organisations that our staff have affiliations with,” he said. The group is a major sponsor of Shepparton Football Netball Club, of which Mr Sherlock is a committee member and past player, as well as cricket, soccer, golf and bowls clubs. GV Community Fund, Goulburn Valley Health and Rotary have also benefited from the group’s generosity and each year two Notre Dame College students are offered scholarships for excellence in the technical field, to encourage students to become interested in the industry. ■ 9
GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
JAGUAR
Renowned for luxury and performance, Jaguar can trace its origins back to the 1920s. The British-built brand has a remarkable history with hallmarks of technology and innovation as part of its story. In recent years the focus has been on developing low-emission fully-electric cars and these are starting to gain in popularity in Australia.
F-TYPE Powerful, agile and distinctive, F-TYPE is a true Jaguar sports car, engineered for high performance and instantaneous responsive handling. At the beating heart of the F‑TYPE is a powerful and highly advanced supercharged V8 engine putting out 404 kW and reaching a whopping top speed of 300 km/h. Featuring state‑of‑the‑art Touch Pro infotainment and precision-built sound systems, F‑TYPE connects, informs and entertains in distinctive style.
I-PACE 294 KW BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE I-PACE is a Jaguar above all else — a true driver’s car This 294 kW Battery Electric Vehicle seamlessly integrates technology and abundant space, offering excitement from every angle. Instant torque and All Wheel Drive traction gives I-PACE the acceleration of a sports car, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, as well as boasting a 470 km range with zero emissions.
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F-PACE R-SPORT F-PACE R-Sport is a performance SUV with the DNA of a sports car. From the bonnet bulge to the pronounced rear haunches, its powerful looks make it distinctive and give it a head-turning road presence. The F-PACE R-Sport delivers assertive sporting style with an exterior sports trim and specialised sport seats. This vehicle delivers a class-leading boot capacity of 508 litres and a versatile 40:20:40 rear seat folding configuration, with aerodynamically enhanced features such as a new front bumper and wider spoiler bonnet vents hinting at its enormous power.
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
LAND ROVER
Land Rover specialises in luxury four-wheel drive vehicles. Exported from the British-based manufacturing facilities, Land Rover and its stable mate Range Rover are sought-after by motoring enthusiasts across the world. Goulburn Motor Group’s Jaguar Land Rover sales manager Toby Balfour said while the vehicles exuded quality they weren’t just for show and boasted excellent off-road capabilities.
RANGE ROVER SPORT
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
With sportier design cues and a powerful, muscular stance, the Range Rover Sport SE is designed to make an impression.
Sleek lines and a coupe-like silhouette will ensure the Range Rover Evoque will be embraced the world over.
Cleaner, more dynamic, there’s a contemporary feel everywhere you look—from the Range Rover Sport grille, redesigned bonnet vents to the refined yet sporty wheel options. Muscular and
The continued evolution of Range Rover sees the launch of the Evoque with excellent on and off-road handling and all-weather capability guaranteeing safety and confidence
perfectly proportioned, Range Rover Sport SE has an output of 600 Nm of torque allowing 0–100 km/h in 7.3 seconds — it is designed to command attention wherever you take it.
regardless of the conditions. This compact SUV is packed with intuitive and innovative optional technologies such as an interactive driver display.
Rikys & Moylan congratulate Goulburn Motor Group on their new showrooms. Rikys & Moylan is a well established Building Company operating in Shepparton & the surrounding district. R&M commenced trading in April 1993 & has seen the building industry evolve over the past 26 years. Glenn Rikys & his team of dedicated tradesmen strive for the highest quality workmanship & pass this onto their many satisfied clients. Glenn prides himself on having one-on-one contact with clients during the planning stage & throughout construction. It is evident from projects completed, the quality work achieved by R&M.
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
HONDA
Honda celebrates 50 years in Australia in 2019 and its outstanding safety record has helped secure significant market share. Goulburn Motor Group sales manager Toby Balfour said Honda enjoyed great customer loyalty to the brand and the price of vehicles represented value for money. From the iconic Honda Civic to the family-friendly CR-V there is a model to suit every need.
CR-V
CIVIC
In the Honda CR-V, even everyday trips can become family adventures
Honda Civic is better than ever
Re-designed from the ground up, this stunningly stylish CR-V is equipped with advanced technology and connectivity, passive and active safety systems and clever storage to boot. With
a VTEC Turbo engine producing up to 140 kW of power, and 240 Nm of torque across a wide rev range, the 2019 CR-V VTEC Turbo petrol is an incredibly flexible and capable SUV.
CONGRATULATIONS GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP ON YOUR NEW SHOWROOMS
The iconic Honda Civic is back and better than ever. The all-new design and stylish features ensures the 10th generation Civic will turn heads and take you to your destination in
comfort.This hot hatch, with its sleek lines and sporty style, commands road presence and the adjustable seating gives you the freedom to adapt your car to suit your lifestyle.
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“We are proud to have assisted with the operational setup of the new premises and wish GMG all the best for their future.” Fox Computer Management is an IT systems integrator specialising in larger multi-franchise Dealer Groups assisting with all aspects of IT beyond the DMS provider. We have assisted GMG for around 10 years with PC’s, Phones, Workshop Diagnostic equipment, Wi-Fi, NBN, email and Windows server solutions.
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
NEW TEAM MEMBER FITS RIGHT IN As financial controller, Lisa Rouessart serves as part of the nucleus at Goulburn Motor Group that is responsible for the day-to-day accounting throughout the business. Arriving at GMG in October 2018, Ms Rouessart is quite new to the company but has earned her stripes in the industry, having climbed the proverbial ladder to be able to do the amazing work that she carries out daily. “I started in the automotive industry approximately 20 years ago at a used car dealership in Dandenong and have worked through various positions to gain the knowledge required for my role,” Ms Rouessart said. “I moved to Seymour 10 years ago and then moved to Tatura last April. I am pretty much new to the team here, but everyone has made me feel welcome. “My day usually starts with analysing cashflow and allocating funds to areas.
“The first 15 days of each month are usually the busiest as we are required to report our financials to our manufacturers and having six franchises plus a used car department makes it quite busy.” Ms Rouessart works with a team of five in administration and believes that their working lives will become easier with the opening of the company’s new showrooms, as well as benefitting the company from a productivity perspective. “Administration get to move to the new JLR building upstairs which will be quite a change after so long in the Ford building, so we will be more accessible to all franchises as well as having a larger, more work-friendly space to work in.” ■
Lisa Rouessart says the new administration hub will improve productivity. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
THE RISE OF ELECTRIC CARS
Sleek and stylish, the I-PACE exudes brilliance in typical Jaguar fashion, fusing performance and comfort in a vehicle that offers a true driving experience. An electricity-powered compact SUV, the I-PACE powertrain puts out 294 kW of torque combined with all-wheel drive traction resulting in an acceleration of 0–100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Goulburn Motor Group marketing manager Pike Peters believes that the vehicle itself is an amalgamation of style and drivability. “The I-PACE design transitions into execution, it is beautifully finished and very exciting to drive,” Mr Peters said. “The car is compact, but it liberates the space amazingly and the AWD system allows the torque to kick in instantly. “It also has zero tailpipe emissions, and ultimately results in lower costs for the owner in fuel and service costs.” The benefits don’t stop at fuel prices, either; Mr Peters said the I-PACE offered swift charging times, allowing the driver to be back out on the
road in no time. “The range of the I-PACE is 470 km, which requires an average charge time of 85 minutes on a 100 kW battery,” he said. “However, the car will be 80 per cent charged after half an hour and that is enough to provide a range of around 400 km. “The best thing about it is that it is a special car, but after a few hours behind the wheel it feels completely normal; it is really drivable.” Mr Peters said the company had sold two of these vehicles, and interest in electric cars was rising. “There is definitely an increased demand for this sort of vehicle, there is a hell of a lot of demand for the I-PACE worldwide,” Mr Peters said. “A few people I have spoken to are holding back but have said that their next purchase will be an electric vehicle.” ■
The team at the Country News would like to congratulate Goulburn Motor Group on their new showrooms.
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GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP NEW SHOWROOMS
POWERING THE FUTURE
To support the increasing interest in electric cars, three charging stations have been included in the new Goulburn Motor Group development. GMG Properties general manager Stan Lambrinos said the rise of electric cars was due to continued innovation from manufacturers and consumer sentiment towards protecting the environment. “Jaguar Land Rover is going to fully electric cars for the UK market in 2022; they will still manufacture diesel and petrolpowered cars for the export market, to places like Australia,” Mr Lambrinos said. One of the electric charging stations has been established in the rear car park for use by customers who have purchased electric cars through the group. The quick-charge station will allow car owners to charge their car to 90 per cent within one hour. Inside are two stations, one operated by mains electricity converted to DC, and the other a DC station, which will allow cars being serviced to be charged before collection by their owners. “At this stage the electric cars we have sold are expensive, but as the volume increases prices will come down accordingly,” Mr Lambrinos said. Dealer principal Jason Sherlock said manufacturers were continuing to dedicate resources to further efficiencies for electric cars. “I have no doubt that in 15 years’ time we will be selling a lot more electric cars,” he said. ■
Marketing manager Pike Peters has completed training in the electric vehicle space. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
LIVE ON THE EDGE UNLOCK EXHILARATING PERFORMANCE WITH LAND ROVER
CASTROL EDGE WITH FLUID TITANIUM. STRONGER UNDER PRESSURE.
www.castrol.com.au/edge
CONGRATULATIONS TO GOULBURN MOTOR GROUP ON THE OPENING OF YOUR NEW FACILITY. CASTROL IS PROUD TO BE YOUR LUBRICANT PARTNER & SUPPLIER OF CHOICE. 15
SHEPPARTON JAGUAR LAND ROVER
DARRYL TWITT HONDA
8-10 Carroll Road, Shepparton East 8-10 Carroll Road, Shepparton East Ph: 03 5822 5885 Ph: 03 5822 5833 www.retailers.landrover.com.au/shepparton www.darryltwitthonda.com.au www.retailers.jaguar.com.au/shepparton Sales: Toby Balfour | toby.balfour@darryltwitt.com.au Service: Joanne Whittaker | joanne.whittaker@darryltwitt.com.au Marketing: Pike Peters | pike.peters@darryltwitt.com.au
Sales: Vince Viggiani | vince.viggiani@darryltwitt.com.au Service: Joanne Whittaker | joanne.whittaker@darryltwitt.com.au Administration: Lisa Rouessart | lisa.rouessart@darryltwitt.com.au