Metro Holden owner Jack Torcaso and dealer principal Gino Raschella contacted Peter Page Holden dealer principal Paul Page and his brother, general manager Luke Page, after Holden ended its franchise agreement with Metro Holden.
Mr Torcaso wanted his 15 parts staff to remain employed and the Page brothers agreed to take over Metro Holden’s parts business and keep the staff.
The business is significant. Metro Holden – until it lost the Holden franchise in a fight with the car-maker that ended in a failed legal challenge just before Christmas – sells 40 per cent of all the genuine Holden spare parts in South Australia.
Last year it was buying $1.1 million of spare parts from Holden each month.
Mr Page told GoAutoNews Premium that it only took three days after meeting with Mr Torcaso and Mr Raschella to sign an agreement.
“We loved the idea,” Mr Page said.
“It ensures the long-term parts customer base for Metro Holden, means 15 people remain employed in an important job, and means those staff will retain their knowledge of Holden parts and maintain a close relationship with loyal customers.
“This, in simple terms, means that these customers don’t have to go anywhere else to get the same great service.
“Metro Holden and Peter Page Holden have similar philosophies and beliefs – work hard, have success and look after both staff and customers.”
Mr Page said both Metro Holden and Peter Page Holden are recipients of numerous Holden Grand Masters awards. Peter Page Holden has been in business for 47 years and Jack Torcaso has been running Metro Holden for 40 years.
“Peter Page Holden will continue to operate the spare parts business from Metro Holden’s location on Port Road, Thebarton, until an alternate distribution location can be identified,” he said.
“The only thing that will change is the name on the letterhead and invoice, to Peter Page Holden Spare Parts.”
By Neil Dowling
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