Hundreds attend dealership opening

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Richard Ebbett, left, chairman of the Ebbett Group, Ben van den Engel, managing director, Richard van den Engel, executive director, and Walter van den Engel, director, at the grand opening of the company’s new site in Hamilton  

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Ebbett Group’s new site in Hamilton had its grand opening on May 1, 2021  

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Sol3 Mio starred in an original theatre piece about the company’s 93-year history in Waikato  

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Glitz and glamour at the grand opening of the Ebbett Group’s new site  

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A Volkswagen Golf joins the glittering display at the party  

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The Ebbett Group is looking ahead but also remembered its past at the event  

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Richard van den Engel, executive director, third left, with Sol3 Mio’s Amitai Pati, left, Moses Mackay and Pene Pati  

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A flamenco dancer was among the performers at the event  

More than 500 guests have helped to celebrate the opening of the Ebbett Group’s new premises in Hamilton.

An original theatre piece around the company’s 93-year history in Waikato featured a performance by Sol3 Mio, the operatic pop vocal trio, at the event on May 1. 

The 25,000-square-metre site in Te Kowhai East Road, Te Rapa, hosts Volkswagen, Isuzu, GMSV, Seat and Cupra, as well as remaining the primary centre for Holden customers in New Zealand. 

Managing director Ben van den Engel, who has been with the company for five decades, says: “We’re only moving once, so we’re definitely doing it properly.”

He adds polished concrete floors that extend throughout the workshops, an abundance of natural light, exposed timbers and luxurious furniture, and fixtures and fittings combine to create a relaxing, enjoyable and professional environment.

In addition to showrooms, the site features a paint, panel and tyre centre, photography and video facility, an ultrafast electric-vehicle charger, a central avenue and workshop.

The Ebbett Group moved into its first premises in Hood Street in 1928 before opening its landmark dealership on the corner of Hood and Anglesea in 1957 – a building that will soon be replaced by the Union Square development. 

The musical extravaganza featuring Sol3 Mio started with the founding of the business in 1928. It progressed through depressions, war, recovery, a public listing, growth, contraction, the global financial crisis before finishing with its successful navigation of Holden NZ’s departure and coronavirus.

“I felt quite emotional after watching that,” says Van Den Engel. “I’ve been here a long time and seeing our history brought to life in such a vivid manner brings home the joy of the journey we’ve been on.

“We are proud of our past in Hamilton, but excited about our future and delivering for our customers from our wonderful new premises.”