Pattison group opens new Toyota, Subaru stores

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This article was published 04/10/2019 (2284 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The nearly simultaneous opening of the new Jim Pattison Toyota on Regent and Jim Pattison Subaru South marks the next chapter for the Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Auto Group in Winnipeg — and the final curtain for the Frontier name in our community.

The late Marcel Thompson founded Frontier Toyota in 1976. Seven years ago, the Jim Pattison Auto Group acquired the Frontier Group of Companies — consisting of Frontier Toyota (Winnipeg’s longest-standing Toyota dealer), Frontier Subaru and Frontier Auto Body — from the Thompson family. Four years ago, the Pattison Group opened a third new dealership in Winnipeg: Jim Pattison Subaru (next door to the Toyota store).

Last fall, all four Pattison auto properties in the city began major expansions, which have seen the two original auto dealerships more than double in size in new buildings, while the body shop relocated from south of the city to a new location on Dugald Road, close to the current Toyota and Subaru stores in northeast Winnipeg.

The new 49,000-square-foot Toyota store stands behind the former Frontier Toyota building, which will be demolished over the next few weeks.

“Our staff moved into our new Jim Pattison Toyota on Regent last Monday,” says Jim Pattison Auto Group president Bill Harbottle, who added that the new Toyota store sports the new Toyota Global Image requirements.

“Ours will be the first Toyota store in Manitoba to conform to the new Toyota Image program,” he says.

The new Jim Pattison Subaru South is scheduled to open this coming week near the Waverley Auto Mall. The store — formerly on Pembina Highway just south of Bison Drive — is now located at 55 Fultz Blvd., which is accessible from Scurfield Boulevard.

A new management team is also in place as the staff at Jim Pattison Toyota on Regent moves into its new facility.

Heading the team is general manager Don Saranchuk, who signed on in May, bringing with him more than 20 years of management experience in the industry.

Sales manager Dion Mohammed came aboard just over a year ago, having had two years of previous management experience.

The newest member of the management team is former University of Manitoba and CFL football player Andre Clarke, who has been working for a domestic auto dealer for the past five years.

“Coming to Jim Pattison Toyota on Regent seemed like the right move at this time,” Clarke says. “It has been a good fit.”

Last month, the staff of Murray Chevrolet paused to bid an emotional farewell to Cathy Kay, the Waverley Auto Mall dealership’s longtime director of first impressions, who has retired after 25 years on the job.

Well wishes poured in from Murray Auto Group stores from across Western Canada, and from former Murray Chevrolet Winnipeg staff who fondly remember Kay’s friendly disposition and ongoing encouragement.

“Cathy has been an amazing director of first impressions,” Murray Chevrolet president Dan Murray said. “Cathy has left us a lasting legacy.”

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