New name, new focus for Winnipeg Suzuki

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2013 (4714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With Suzuki Motor Corp. out of the North American vehicle market, Canada’s Suzuki dealers have had to decide their own futures.

For Winnipeg Suzuki, it’s full steam ahead at the Waverley Auto Mall.

Dealership president Walt Morris and vice-president/GM Pier Chiappetta first decided to buy up all Suzuki Canada’s remaining 2013 car inventory.

“We have sixty 2013 models left to sell, including Grand Vitaras, Kizashis and Crossfire SX4s,” Chiappetta said. “They’re priced to sell. We expect to be sold out by the end of the year.”

Their next step is to rename the store the Walt Morris Automotive Pre-Owned Supercentre, specializing in pre-owned luxury vehicles.

“We will be carrying all luxury makes and models,” Chiappetta said. “We’ll also continue to honour all Suzuki automotive warranty work. We’re the largest authorized Suzuki service and parts dealer in Manitoba.”

The store has also added a new finance arm, Winnipeg Vehicle Finance and Leasing, headed by Chiappetta’s brother, Frank, who has worked in auto financing both at the dealership level and through the banking industry for more than 15 years. The new service provides customers with short-term leasing options and helps those with credit issues.

The store will continue to carry a full range of Suzuki motorsport products and accessories on the second level.

“We had one of our best years ever for motorsport sales last summer,” Chiappetta said. “We were second in sales nationally for Suzuki motorsport sales. Demand for motorsport products is really growing,”

Suzuki will be unveiling its new motorcycles, ATVs and marine products at the end of the month, he added.

Adesa pitches community groups

Adesa Winnipeg, Western Canada’s leading auto auction house, is reaching out to community organizations with an offer to put money into their coffers for referrals.

“We got to thinking about this program when a soccer team referred some customers to us,” said Adesa regional vice-president Gregg Maidment. “This is another way for us to support non-profit organizations.”

“We have just begun rolling out the program this month.”

The Adesa Winnipeg Community Fundraising Referral Program is an expansion of what Adesa has been doing for the last couple of years — selling vehicles at auction for individual car owners.

For the first four referrals to Adesa, a community organization will receive a cheque for $50 each. Five to nine referrals earn the organization $75 each, while 10 or more earn the organization $100 each {retroactive to the first referral}.

“One of our mandates has always been to support as many charitable foundations as we can through our auction service,” Maidment said.

They’re really excited about this new program. We are anticipating that many educational institutions sports programs, social organizations and charitable and religious organizations are going to be signing up with this.”

For further information, contact Kerry Beaton (kerry.beaton@adesa.com) or Darrell Barth (darrell.barth@adesa.com) at 204.631-3850.

New fixed operations manager at Birchwood Chev

Laird Sutherland is the new fixed operations manager at Birchwood Chev. He took up the position at the beginning of October.

Sutherland has been in the auto industry for 26 years. He started his career at Brookdale Chev in Steinbach before moving to Winnipeg. He has been in management for 21 years.

Vickar Nissan backs breast cancer research

For the month of October, Vickar Nissan is donating $50 from every car sold to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

“A lot of our staff have been involved in the walks for breast cancer,” said Vickar Nissan sales manager Nick Guffei. “It’s a good cause.”

The dealership is drawing attention to its fundraising effort through the placement of a pink 2013 Juke in its showroom.