Confidence returns to luxury car market
CONFIDENCE in the future of the luxury car market in Cairns has led to a $1 million expansion and upgrade of Westco BMW's showroom.
The Newell St premises are due to be completed for an official opening on September 10.The refurbishment completes a major investment by the Barry family in the German marque following the construction of a new eight-bay workshop to triple its size in May last year.
Westco is the second luxury dealership to complete an upgrade with Audi Centre Cairns opening a $1 million extension last month and the Trinity Auto Group is planning a new 300sq m showroom for Mercedes-Benz in McLeod St.
BMW sales manager Bren-dan Roberts said the new showroom was double the previous one’s size and had expanded into the old workshop space.
“Instead of displaying three or four cars we will be able to show up to nine,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the work by RC Harder and Company had taken three months and included design, style and materials to meet BMW Australia’s corporate guidelines.
“It’s a clean sheet design, state-of-the-art and very progressive. All the old BMW corporate look had to go,” he said.
As well as new sales offices there is a dedicated delivery bay for owners to pick up their new BMW.
Mr Roberts said the new look and expansion would help Westco grow its BMW sales and service. The original showroom was built in 1996.
He said the Barry family had shown faith in the future of BMW by investing a lot of money in the premises.
“Confidence is coming back into Cairns,” he said.
“We deal with a lot of wealthy people and it is evident that confidence is returning to the business community.
“We have had several talk to us about future business deals about to take off.”
Mr Roberts said August was the best month for BMW this year with 10 sales, including two $100,000-plus 5 Series
sedans.
He said the BMW Roadshow also would arrive in time for the September 10 opening with $1 million worth of cars available to test drive.
They are BMW’s performance hero car, the $158,300 M3 coupe, a $143,400 530d GT, a $130,000 535i sedan, a $218,000 740Li and a $183,900 X6 M.
More than 500 people have been invited to the opening on September 10.
BMW Australia’s national sales manager David Lederer will open the premises.
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Faith in future: Westco Motors BMW sales manager Brendan Roberts says confidence is returning to the Cairns business community. Picture: MARC McCORMACK
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