Victoria dealerships for Audi, Alfa Romeo and Maserati go high-tech with bright new buildings
Virtual reality devices at Audi Victoria’s new showroom are going to allow customers to build their dream car, open a door and drive away — all without going outdoors.
A dedicated high-tech room, where headsets and hand controls await customers, is one way the dealership is aiming to stand out in the capital region’s vehicle sales sector.
The dealership is slated to open its doors on Jan. 3. Tall windows in the building at 2929 Douglas St. look directly out to the street — without a car park in front.
The GAIN Group invested $25 million to build a 32,000-square-foot building for Audi and a building of about 12,000 square feet for its Alfa Romeo and Maserati dealership, said Carl Munro, Audi Victoria general manager. A brick-paved roadway runs between the two contemporary-style structures. The Alfa Romeo and Maserati building will open at the beginning of March.
Audi is currently located at 1101 Yates St. Alfa Romeo and Maserati is at 740 Roderick St.
In the new Audi building, an interior feature on the second floor mimics the appearance of a road, with lights running through it.
Vehicles are positioned in the showroom to give the appearance that they are following the roadway, Munro said.
Buyers will collect their vehicles in a special room illuminated by a ceiling light covering most of the area. “We try to make it is as special as possible,” he said.
The showroom includes a special area for shoppers seeking a sports vehicle. As well, a black-red-and-white Audi RS 3 LMS factory-built race car is showcased next to the front window. The price tag is about $200,000, Munro said.
Audi’s building was designed to allow drivers to pull onto pavement between the buildings and drive into the service area, where a valet will be on hand. Vehicles will be serviced in a 12-station service centre. The Yates location has six stations, Munro said.
The company hires Camosun College automotive technicians as apprentices, he said.
Audi has seen local sales numbers grow from 75 new vehicles in 2009 to 375 this year, Munro said.
Staff numbers at the new site will increase to 38 from 33.
The new building includes a four-level parking area with more than 300 spaces, including rooftop parking.
Space on the lower level will become an indoor used-car showroom to allow customers to avoid poor weather while viewing vehicles.
This is the latest development of local dealerships, something always on the minds of car companies.
“The more progressive brands are always thinking ahead to what’s next,” Munro said. They are looking at how to make a facility better by examining the architecture, design and how to improve customer experience.
“It will never stop. There’s always going to be something. The number of brands in the marketplace, generally speaking, doesn’t seem to be shrinking.”
