For years, Edmonton’s only Audi dealership shared space with a Volkswagen franchise. That Audi store now has its own building in south Edmonton and it has been joined by a second dealership on Stony Plain Road as the city’s luxury vehicle market continues to expand.

Audi Edmonton North held its grand opening in late August in a new building next door to Bavaria BMW. The new Audi store is the first dealership in Alberta for Jim Pattison Auto Group, which has been serving automotive clients in Western Canada for 54 years. “We’re looking to grow our presence in the Alberta market either through acquisition or open-point opportunities,” said Bill Harbottle, president of the Jim Pattison Auto Group.

The Audi Edmonton North dealership represented an open-point opportunity because a dealership was needed to serve the north end of the city and nearby communities.
Another factor is the growth in Audi’s Canadian sales, which Harbottle said have tripled in the past six years. Although the grand opening was a couple of weeks ago, Audi Edmonton North has been open since early June. “We’re very pleased with the sales to date,” Harbottle said, noting that new-vehicle sales have exceeded expectations.

Sean Hebdon, the dealership’s general manager, said the store is gaining ground in both sales and service. The entire sedan lineup is finding great sales traction, but Hebdon said the Q5 and Q3 crossover utility vehicles are also selling well. The dealership is also building volume in its used-vehicle sales.

A 2016 Audi Q7 SUV was on display during the grand opening, generating commitments to buy the vehicle from several purchasers. All current Audi models were on the hoists in the service department, giving the 400 guests the opportunity to view the vehicles from all angles. Audi Edmonton North is the newest Audi retail centre in Western Canada. The 38,000-square-foot building features a 12-vehicle showroom, 16 service bays and a service drive-thru that can accommodate four vehicles.
The store’s mezzanine level includes a café and a lounge overlooking the showroom. There is also a customer lounge on the main level, a parts boutique and a vehicle-delivery area.
Alberta’s economic situation has changed markedly since the Pattison Group acquired the Audi franchise, with both plummeting oil prices and a slumping Canadian dollar. But Harbottle said the company always looks at the long term, planning for 20 to 25 years rather than just the next three or four. He said the economic situation “will certainly not curtail our activities in Alberta.”

Audi Edmonton North’s location at 18855 Stony Plain Rd. places it close to Anthony Henday Drive. Hebdon said access from the Henday means many customers are just a few minutes from the store, whether they live in Edmonton or nearby communities such as St. Albert.
For more information about the dealership, visit www.audiedmontonnorth.com.

Source: edmontonjournal.com