Dealership taps in to boom times

PAKENHAM is changing gears to become one of Melbourne’s fastest growing car markets, as construction begins on a state-of-the-art Mazda dealership on the Princes Freeway.
This month Bruce Clough Mazda broke soil at Pakenham’s SouthEast Business Park where its new dealership facility will boast a world class glass-walled showroom, expansive new and used car yards and 20-bay workshop
Utility services are currently being installed on site at Lot 1 32 Commercial Drive, with an opening date set for November.
Dealer principal Paul Clough said the expansion from the dealership’s current Princes Highway site at Nar Nar Goon would capitalise on the vast opportunities presented by Cardinia Shire’s burgeoning growth.
“Cardinia is one of Victoria’s fastest growing shires, so we confidently envisage a strip of car dealerships popping up at this site, establishing Pakenham as a premier car sales destination which Bruce Clough Mazda will be a major part of,” Mr Clough said.
According to statistics published by demographics firm .id, Cardinia Shire’s population is projected to explode by 86 per cent before 2036.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for us because this expansion allows us to bring the proven integrity of an established country family business into the booming metro market,” Mr Clough said.
“Behind this amazing new showroom and premium customer experience, there’ll still be a level of service finessed over 40 years under the Clough family name quite unlike anything currently available in the suburbs.”
Construction of the new Bruce Clough Mazda dealership is estimated to inject up to $4 million into the local economy, with between 50 and 60 full-time workers to be hired during the project’s peak.
The project will be delivered by Montlaur Project Services and construction firm APM Group (Aust), which recently completed the events and administration centre facilities as part of the high profile Pakenham Racecourse relocation.
APM Group managing director Paul Howard said the impressive glass-walled structure would begin taking shape within three months.
“This type of project comes together very quickly as a lot of off-site pre-cast work has already been done. It’s going to be quite a sight once it’s all erected,” Mr Howard said.
“Mazda is one of Australia’s pre-eminent brands, so we are privileged and proud to be working with the Clough family to construct a world-class dealership that will be the equivalent of anything in Australia.”
Montlaur project services director Christian Gunnersen said Montlaur was pleased to partner with Bruce Clough Mazda from project conception, design phase, procurement and through to delivery of this exciting development.
“This will be a keystone project for the SouthEast Business Park and will display latest construction techniques plus a first class automotive sales environment for the Clough family to operate in,” Mr Gunnerson said.
Entering car sales in 1974 at its current Nar Nar Goon premises, the Clough family took on the Mazda Franchise in 1994.
Mazda’s Victorian state manager Nick Parkington said Bruce Clough Mazda was a highly respected family-run business that had passionately looked after Mazda customers in Gippsland and the south-eastern suburbs for more than two decades.
“When Bruce Clough Mazda re-opens in Pakenham – one of the Victoria’s fastest growing regions – it will continue to deliver the excellent customer sales and service experience that it has become renowned for,” Mr Parkington said.
“Its investment in the new facility is reflective of Mazda’s recent growth and is designed to perfectly look after Mazda’s new and used car buyers.
“It’s an exciting time for Bruce Clough Mazda and we wish the team all the very best.”
Mr Clough stressed the existing Nar Nar Goon dealership would remain open, operating primarily as a used car dealership.
“Our legacy started from humble beginnings with four brothers becoming actively engaged in the family business, so the new dealership is more than just bricks and mortar for us.”
“New dealership or old, customers will still be able to come in and deal directly with the owners. It’s a proven winning formula which we’re excited to bring to Pakenham.”