Claridge Holden has sold its property and announced it will cease being a dealership, the second Holden dealership in Adelaide to do so since Plaza Holden transformed into a Haval and Great Wall dealership last month.
This will mark the end of an active 87 years in the car industry for Claridge Holden and an association with the lion badge since the car-maker’s inception.
The property has been sold to South Australian automotive and horticultural company, CMV Group, which will build its second Mercedes-Benz passenger car and van dealership.
Claridge Holden managing director Mike Claridge – and grandson of founder Fred Claridge – said it was a sad day to wind up the business after 87 years as a family-owned company.
“The Claridge family has been proud to be part of the Holden team for over 55 years and it will be a sad day when the doors close in late December this year,” he said.
Mr Claridge manages the business and Ross Fisher – the son-in-law of Len Claridge who is the brother of Mike’s father Jim – is a director.
Jim and Len Claridge managed the business from the 1960s through to the 1980s. It was a Holden sub-agent from 1948 and became a dealer in 1961.
“The shareholders, who are members of our families, decided that the time was right to sell,” he told GoAutoNews Premium.
Claridge Motors circa 1929
“We will close before Christmas and we won’t continue in the automotive retail industry,” Mr Claridge said.
Claridge Holden, which has moved locations only once in its history after starting in Unley, employs 90 people in all levels of the business.
It includes crash repairs after merging in January this year with CW Robinson Accident Repair Centre to create Claridge Smash. This business will continue as an independent operation.
Mr Claridge said the properties that the Holden dealership operates are owned by the Claridge family and it is these properties that have been sold to the CMV Group.
“The transaction does not include the Holden franchise or business and is confined to properties only,” he said.
“Not included in the sale to CMV is a property at 159 Caulfield Avenue, Clarence Gardens from which Claridge Crash operates in a joint venture with Hugh Prescott.
“The Prescott’s also have a long history in the auto industry in South Australia having operated dealership and crash repair businesses. Interestingly, Hugh was also previously a manager in the CMV Group,” Mr Claridge said.
Robinson’s is older than Claridge, starting one year earlier in 1928. Similarly, it had fourth-generation family members employed in the business.
When Robinsons was established in 1928 it operated from a building previously occupied by Holden Motor Company.
Footnote: In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the CMV Group owns CMI Toyota and Lexus, a $25 million showcase dealership in central Adelaide, as well as Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Suzuki dealerships.
It also runs an extensive range of truck dealerships covering the DAF, Kenworth, Mack, UD Trucks, Volvo, Hino and Fuso brands.
By Neil Dowling
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