Dealership eyes southern expansion

The Andrew Simms dealership group is expanding its operations outside of Auckland and has revealed plans to build four new showrooms in Dunedin.

The developments come as the company intends to add the Jeep, RAM and BYD brands to the southern city’s existing Mitsubishi and Nissan franchises, which were previously held by Stephen Duff Motors, reports the Otago Daily Times.

Andrew Simms, managing director of his eponymous company, says he had been a 50 per cent shareholder in Stephen Duff Motors since its inception in 2001 and his business took full ownership in December last year.

He now has his sights set on building four new showrooms on Andersons Bay Rd, Dunedin, to cater for the five marques.

The facilities will be at former Stephen Duff Motors locations and other adjacent properties, with the first project set to be a new Mitsubishi showroom.

Simms, pictured, says a new service centre in Timaru Street, Dunedin, has also been built to accommodate the expanded business.

All staff from Stephen Duff Motors will be retained and additional employees have been recruited, including some who are relocating from Auckland, reports the Otago Daily Times.