CAIRNS auto chief Greg Eastment has joined forces with Townsville motoring boss John Doolan to take over the southern city's Nissan, Suzuki and Renault dealerships. 

The two men's family trust companies have formed the NQ Auto Group to buy Parry Nissan, the largest Nissan dealership north of Brisbane.

The dealer also sells Suzuki and Renault vehicles.

Mr Eastment is a shareholder and the managing director and dealer-principal of Pacific Toyota Cairns and Lexus of Cairns. Mr Doolan is the general manager of Parry Nissan.

Mr Eastment said he would become the managing director of Nissan Parry with Mr Doolan appointed dealer-principal.

The multi-million dollar deal was settled on August 31 to buy the business which was founded in 1979 by the Parry Family," he said.

"Parry Nissan is a well respected business in Townsville and the Far North," Mr Eastment said.

"Operating from its modern premises at 515-593 Sturt St, it currently employs 60 people," he said.

Mr Eastment said the freehold Sturt St property formed part of the sale.

He said he was extremely pleased to have secured a well-respected business in a vibrant city such as Townsville.

"I believe that Townsville is probably the strongest and most stable provincial centre north of Brisbane," Mr Eastment said.

"With significant investment happening in and around the centre, this trend is set to continue into the future.

"Under the control of a very experienced dealer-principal in John Doolan and with the support of Parry Nissan's long-serving staff, we feel optimistic that the business will continue to thrive as it had under the Parry family."

Mr Eastment said the deal was private, involving the family trust companies of both men and did not include the Pacific Toyota group.

He said Mr Doolan would be in charge of the day-to-day running of Parry Nissan while he would provide a strategic role.

Mr Eastment said former owner Alan Parry had reached the full retirement stage and had no children to hand over the business to.

He said Mr Parry was keen to help Mr Doolan become an owner.

Mr Eastment said the dealership was one of the biggest Nissan franchises in Queensland with Navara dual cab utilities the largest seller.

He said it had a good future in "a strong and stable town".

Nissan was quickly expanding its range and the Parry business would be well placed to take advantage of that, Mr Eastment said.

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