SOUTH Australian car dealership business Smith Motor Group has announced it will transition leadership from managing director and owner Hans Ehmann to current group director James Ehmann and group COO and CFO, Linh Bui.

The change in management comes as Smith Motor Group (SMG), which has 18 businesses in Australia and New Zealand, celebrates its 100th year.

It coincides with the company changing its name to ‘One SMG’ to bring the company’s businesses under one brand.

SMG is based in South Australia and comprises 18 businesses, representing 17 brands and employing more than 300 people. Its companies are vehicle and caravan dealerships, fleet management and leasing and crash repair.

Its origins stem back to the original Holden dealership in Port Adelaide founded in 1922 by brothers Bert and Mort Smith.

Mr Hans Ehmann said: “Smiths is synonymous with South Australia’s automotive industry and its proud history predates many of the automotive milestones that South Australians are familiar with.

“We had been in business for nearly 50 years before seat belts were formally introduced and COVID is not the first pandemic we have weathered.

“There are many, many South Australians who have purchased a vehicle, caravan or related automotive service through a Smith Motor Group member company over the past 100 years and we intend to remain a steadfast contributor to the South Australian economy under the leadership of James and Linh who will deliver on our new vision as a group – OneSMG.”

Under James Ehmann and Linh Bui, the group will drive an effort to expand the group’s crash repair and body-shop service offering.

There is also planned growth in its caravan division, which currently comprises Dave Benson Caravans, and to build on its vehicle fleet and leasing business already represented across ANZ.

Under its new One SMG brand, the group will continue to invest in people, systems, and technology with a renewed focus on uniting its business under a common goal.

“We are a family of businesses that many families rely on, and we’ll be in good hands under the stewardship of James and Linh,” said Mr Ehmann.

“They will take the reins of the business at a very exciting and dynamic time in the automotive industry, and as a group dedicated to great customer service, we will keep Australians moving forward.”

One SMG said it is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates, predominantly regional localities.

It has provided a range of sponsorship and funding for local sporting clubs, community groups, charities, and festivals over the years. It is also a proud supporter of local employment, apprenticeships, traineeships and a variety of community engagement activities within its geographical footprint.

 

 

By Neil Dowling