The fastest-growing Porsche franchise in Canada expects its new $5.2-million facility will shift the luxury performance brand into a higher gear on the Island.
Since new ownership took over the dealership in 2012, it has sold almost three times as many vehicles a year as the former owners, said general manager Paul Rossmo.
The goal of the two-storey, 17,000-square-foot Porsche Centre Victoria, Rossmo said, is to sell in excess of 100 cars a year.
“The new facilities is a sign of our commitment to the present and future needs of our clients on Vancouver Island,” Rossmo said.
The facility, which opened near Uptown at the start of the month, incorporates design elements of the New Concept Porsche Dealership, the brand’s new global corporate identity, which features a curved aluminum-clad exterior with extensive use of glass.
The project took two years from concept to completion.
The only authorized Porsche sales and service facility on Vancouver Island, the franchise is part of the German Auto Import Network – Vancouver Island, which encompasses eight Vancouver Island auto dealerships representing all the major German and one Japanese brand.
The new showroom — on the upper storey of the building, beside its sister dealership, Volkswagen Victoria — has lots of room to showcase all seven models in the Porsche line, including sports cars, sedans and SUVs.
Customers considering their next ride or waiting for their vehicle in service can relax in a lounge or at a customer café, complete with complimentary beverages and sweets.
Customers looking to buy or lease are served by brand ambassadors who have taken extensive training on the product, including a tour of the manufacturing facilities in Germany.
The lower level is dedicated to service.
An immaculate service area has six work stations and a “dialogue bay” — another feature of the New Concept Porsche Dealership. Customers arriving for service drive into a sheltered bay and consult with a service adviser before any work is done and look under the vehicle after it is put up in the air by a specialized vehicle lift.
“We believe [the dialogue bay] is unique to the industry,” said Rossmo, whose association with the brand goes back 40 years.
Another noteworthy feature is a dedicated “clean” room just off from the main garage where mechanics can rebuild engines and transmissions in a controlled environment.
The mechanics working on the cars are some of the most highly-trained service technicians in the industry, spending up to six weeks every year in training.
“Much has changed in regards to servicing cars. I would suggest that people who haven’t invested in the latest computers, the latest tools and taken up-to-date training, shouldn’t be touching these cars,” he said.
Rossmo said Porsche is an enthusiast brand and their owners are a passionate bunch. The larger premises means the dealership will be able to host group nights and other meetings of local Porschephiles.
The new showroom is at 737 Audley St., off Douglas Street. For details, go to porschevictoria.com.
