- Audi Centre Perth welcomes a new majority shareholder for the first time in 14 years
- Former Automotive Holdings Group Managing Director, Bronte Howson, takes majority ownership
Perth, Western Australia, 24 April 2018 – Audi's high profile Osborne Park retail facility, Audi Centre Perth, has announced a change in majority ownership, with prominent automotive industry figure, Bronte Howson investing in the business.
The first change in shareholding in 14 years, the new ownership structure of Audi Centre Perth now includes former Automotive Holdings Group (AHG) Managing Director, Howson, who joins existing shareholders Peter James, David Collins and Alf Barbagallo.
The new majority owner of the successful retail facility, Howson brings a wealth of industry experience, including 17 years as Managing Director of dealership network, Automotive Holdings Group, from which he stepped down in 2016.
With a clear goal of continued market share growth in Western Australia, this change in shareholding will bring new opportunities for business development and expansion, representing further investment possibilities for the Audi brand in the state.
According to Mr Howson, the investment represented an exciting opportunity to join forces with a successful team to drive further growth for Audi in WA.
"Audi is an exciting brand with a host of exceptionally impressive new models on the way over the next few years. For me, it's an exciting time to buy into Audi in WA, and to be able to add my experience to the dealership team will no doubt be useful as the brand commences another strong product onslaught with new vehicles like the Audi A8 and Q8." Mr Howson said.
Audi's Director of Business Development, Thierry Juilland, says the company is pleased to add an investor of Bronte Howson's calibre to its dealer network.
"Peter James, David Collins and Alf Barbagallo have been a strong team for Audi in WA, and we've also enjoyed seeing the benefits of facility investments in the state for the past 14 years. Bronte's investment now means that growth will continue with renewed vigour at a time when the brand is developing strong customer service initiatives and a host of extraordinary new products for customers," Mr Juilland said.
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The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. 100 percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include Audi Sport GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).
In 2017, the Audi Group delivered to customers about 1.878 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 3,815 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and 55,900 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2017 fiscal year, AUDI AG achieved total revenue of €60.1 billion and an operating profit of €5.1 billion. At present, approximately 90,000 people work for the company all over the world, more than 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on sustainable products and technologies for the future of mobility.