BMW Group Australia has decided to exit vehicle retailing and is selling its BMW Sydney and MINI Garage Sydney operations to the Australian Motor Group for an undisclosed price.
It follows in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz Australia which sold its company owned retail sites in Brisbane and Sydney to LSH Auto Australia in 2015 and the Melbourne business in 2017. That deal also included the former Mercedes-Benz Airport Express business located near the Sydney and Melbourne Airports.
The Australian Motor Group acquisition of BMW Sydney and MINI Garage Sydney will take effect by the end of 2023, marking a transition and signalling a new era for this 34-year-old dealership.
Founded in 1989, the BMW Sydney and MINI Garage Sydney dealership was an integral part of the BMW Group.
Situated at 65 Craigend Street in Rushcutters Bay, the dealership underwent a 65-million-dollar redevelopment in 2019, solidifying its position as the largest BMW and MINI dealership in Australia.
In 2022 it sold a total of 1950 new BMW and MINI cars and 1132 used cars. In the same year, the dealership won the Major Metro of the Year Dealer Award.
BMW Group says it made a strategic decision to shift its focus away from owning a retail outlet in Sydney and to sell it to the Australian Motor Group, who is already a current business partner.
Currently, BMW Group is represented by independent investors who collectively own 48 dealerships across Australia.
The sale of the business to an existing authorised BMW Group dealer partner underscores the strength of the network and reflects BMW Group Australia’s confidence in its sustained performance, growth, and development. The acquisition includes the transfer of all skilled dealership workforce to the Australian Motor Group, ensuring a seamless transition for both employees and customers.
The Australian Motor Group is a family-owned business in Australia with a portfolio of 25 dealerships across 13 renowned brands.
It is the owner of Hornsby BMW, which clinched the overall BMW Dealer of the Year Award in 2020 and achieved the BMW Metro Dealer of the Year accolade in both 2021 and 2022.
From January to September 2023, Hornsby BMW experienced a positive sale growth of 5.56% compared to the same period last year.
“The Australian Motor Group has a proven track record. We are confident that under their stewardship, the dealership will continue to thrive, offering an exceptional working environment for staff and delivering high-quality service to our customers,” BMW Group Australia chief executive Wolfgang Buechel says.
“The acquisition of this dealership with its heritage and reputation, will strengthen our dealership network and expand our presence with the BMW Group. We look forward to building on this legacy with the team and providing exceptional service to our guests,” Australian Motor Group founder and owner Mark Fitzgerald says.
