Volkswagen expands in Sydney’s north

THE biggest dealership in the Volkswagen network has opened for business in Sydney, bringing the German importer’s North Shore passenger car and light-commercial vehicle business under one roof in a ground-up retail site development.

North Shore Volkswagen – formerly called Chatswood Classic Cars – can display up to 45 vehicles in the new showroom in Artarmon.

Built according to VW’s new Module Concept design rules, the dealership is owned by Inchcape Automotive Retail – part of the giant British-owned Inchcape group that also distributes cars in many countries, including Subaru in Australia.

About 20 more VW retail sites are set to get the Module Concept treatment in 2013.

VW Group Australia managing director Anke Koeckler said the big new facility reflected the demand for VW products in Sydney’s north.

“The Volkswagen brand has been very popular on the Northern Beaches, so it was a logical decision to show our continued commitment to our loyal customer base with our largest showroom yet,” Ms Koeckler said.

The new showroom is on the Pacific Highway, 5km closer to downtown Sydney from the previous showroom. The service department remains at the current site in Artarmon.

VW is one of the fastest growing mainstream vehicle brands in Australia, with sales soaring 21.9 per cent so far this year.