New motoring era coming to Grafton

New era: Black Toyota sales manager Rob Connell at the dealership’s new South Grafton site scheduled to open in October.

A NEW era of motoring will begin in October when the new state-of-the-art Black Toyota dealership opens its doors to Clarence Valley customers.

And with the acquisition of Clarence Valley Ford and Hyundai, the South Grafton motoring precinct at the crossroads is set to become the Clarence Valley’s one-stop motoring destination.

Black Toyota Grafton general manager Danny Scott said people of the North Coast can expect new levels of service and an expanded range of vehicles when the new premises opens.

“It’s simply economies of scale, we really need the room to display up to 120 vehicles and we certainly haven’t got the room at our existing premises,” he said. “The range of Toyota, Suzuki and Hino vehicles will be more than double what we currently have on display.”

Mr Scott said the modern service facilities and showroom will be modelled on the Black group’s existing dealership at Dalby, Queensland.

“Once open we would like all our existing service customers and new customers to come in and have a look around and use the modern facilities.”

“There will be a new level of range, service and comfort to what the people of the Clarence Valley are used to.”

The announcement Black Toyota will merge with Clarence Valley Ford and Hyundai, gives customers the option of five marques to choose from.

Mr Scott said once construction was complete and they have received council approval, the new Ford and Hyundai premises will be built alongside the Toyota dealership at South Grafton.

“There is currently a development application in with council for a separate free-standing showroom on the other two blocks closer to the Bligh Street end,” he said.

Once the amalgamation is complete Mr Scott said about 40 staff will be employed by the Black group at South Grafton.

“There will soon be a new modern facility for all of the Ford and Toyota customers to bring their vehicle to for servicing,” he said.

An expanded facility with five more service bays will also speed up times for customers, Mr Scott said.

“We will have 14 service bays and 14 mechanics at the new dealership enabling us to better serve our valued customers,” he said.

Mr Scott said the move from their long-term home in Prince Street had taken more than three years to come to fruition.

“We outgrew our existing dealership probably about four years ago and it was three years ago that I identified this site and Craig Black flew down to have a look at it,” he said. “Once open we would like all our existing service customers and new customers to come in and have a look around and use the modern facilities.”