Media Statement - Covid-19
The Booran Motor Group is a family owned and operated business that started with a single Holden Franchise back in 1965. We now operate 12 Dealerships comprising 22 Franchises, and we employ approximately 450 staff.
We have no political affiliation and commend both sides of politics for the bipartisan approach at both a state and federal level that has been evident and is needed to beat this devastating virus.
We applaud the Government’s Job Keeper initiative as it has allowed us to retain the vast majority of our staff and ensure they are receiving at least $750 per week whilst we close our doors, and it will allow us to rebuild once we beat Covid-19 and start to return to the lifestyle that we as Australians are familiar with.
As a member of the community we feel the time has come to help Australia (in our own small way) to ‘flatten the curve’ and conquer Covid-19. The Government’s message is resoundingly clear “STAY HOME.” Whilst our Dealerships are still permitted to operate we believe our day to day operations are largely incongruous with the Government’s stage 3 restrictions. Accordingly we have TEMPORARILY closed our doors and suspended all Service Operations for two weeks from Friday the 3rd of April and are operating our Sales Departments via Online methods. These decisions will be reviewed on the 1st May 2020.
The response from our customers that have had to re-arrange service appointments, or change vehicle delivery arrangements, over the last few days since we made this decision has been overwhelmingly supportive and understanding, and we thank them; as Australians we are all in this together.
Whilst the temporary closure will have significant financial implications for our Dealerships and all our staff, if it saves a single life it’s entirely worth it. We also know that our actions provide greater protection to our staff and our customers from the potential of a Covid-19 infection.
I expressly request that any media reference to our closure specifically includes that it is of a temporary nature and is not taken out of context to sensationalise the situation.
For any further information or commentary regarding our temporary shutdown (our short “hibernation” as the government has referred to it) please contact me directly.
Kind regards,
Neil Heveren
Chief Operating Officer
Telephone: (03) 9584 3333
Mobile: 0401 526 667
Email: neilh@booranmotors.com.au
Booran Holden was founded in Caulfield in 1965 and still serves the people of that area with Service & Spare Parts.
With the Holden brand growing Booran Holden took up permanent residence in Cheltenham early 1991.
In 1995 the Booran group expanded the Holden franchise into Dandenong.
In 1999 we added the Suzuki and Peugeot franchises to an ever-growing Dandenong location.
Cranbourne Holden was opened in May 2004.
2010 marked the year that we introduced KIA into the Booran family at our Cheltenham location.
In 2012 the Hyundai brand was added to complement the group.
Cranbourne Hyundai was completely redeveloped with a brand new multi-million dollar dealership.
In late we expanded our Hyundai franchise into South Morang and also Berwick.
2016 sees the Booran Group expand even further with our 4th Hyundai dealership at Dandenong, and the acquisition of our first Mitsubishi franchise in May 2016.
Booran extended its European arm with the introduction of the Citroen brand mid-2017.
2018 the Booran name grew with the introduction of Beachside Volkswagen located in Frankston, our second Kia franchise opened in South Morang in September, and European giant MG opening its doors at Cranbourne in mid-December.
Early 2019 our European arm grew with our new dealership Bayside Skoda opening in January and the introduction of our first Isuzu franchise opened in Cheltenham mid February.
The Booran Group employs over 350 people and is one of the most progressive businesses of its kind in the motor industry.
We pride ourselves on being family-owned and operated for over two generations. Our large, long term, loyal employee base provides vast industry knowledge. Over 30 percent of our staff have 10-plus years of employment with the company.