PROMINENT West Sydney Toyota dealer Phil Gilbert has been sold, ending a 36-year relationship with the Gilbert family and Toyota and ushering in a sympathetic owner in the Kordovolos’ 4K Group.

Phil Gilbert Motor Group, which has a 36-year history as a Toyota dealer and more recently has added Hyundai, Kia and GWM, has a strong brand reputation in its community and sales district.

It is headed by Phil Gilbert’s daughters Edwina – as chair – and Simone as customer experience director. Phil Gilbert, now in his late 70s, is retired.

Edwina Gilbert told GoAutoNews Premium that a sale of the family business was not being considered until 4K made an approach.

Edwina Gilbert

“We were not looking at a sale but we were approached and considered it over some months,” she said. 

“We have had a wonderful journey with the business and we’re – my sister and myself – comfortable with the sale.

“Dad (founder Phil Gilbert) is supportive of the decision. What made the sale easier was that we know the Kordovolos families in business through Toyota and as neighbours. They have similar work and community ethics.”

Ms Gilbert said all the Phil Gilbert staff will transfer to the 4K Group and she believed the Phil Gilbert name will be retained, as 4K have done with previous acquisitions such as Noble. 

“We’re very proud of our business and legacy and wish 4K Group the best,” she said.

“We also wish the staff and our stakeholders and OEMs all the very best for the future and we are grateful for all their work and support during the past years.”

Ms Gilbert admits it is hard to leave the automotive industry but retains her non-executive director position at Carsales – which she has held for the past eight years – and automotive data service company Infomedia.

The Phil Gilbert Motor Group has its origins with the founder starting his involvement in the motor industry in 1969 with the dealership Gilbert & Roach trucks. 

He then operated a used truck dealership with his brother, David, for eight years before buying his own dealership, Lakemba Nissan, in 1983.

In 1988, Mr Gilbert bought York Toyota in Lidcombe, currently trading as Phil Gilbert Lidcombe. 

His passion for the business, determination and commitment to the franchise ensured his strong market position in the competitive metropolitan Sydney market and saw him maintain his status as a national Top 20 Toyota dealer.

In May 2005, the Phil Gilbert Group bought the adjoining Truscotts Toyota dealership from the Truscott family, giving him many synergies for the dealerships and most importantly benefits for customers.

Truscotts Toyota was rebranded Phil Gilbert Toyota Croydon in November 2012 to provide locations for the Toyota franchise – Croydon and Lidcombe.

In July 2017, a year before celebrating its 30th year of being a Toyota franchise, the company opened its new Croydon showroom.

4K Automotive, previously known as Clintons Motor Group, has been serving the Macarthur and Canterbury-Bankstown communities with automotive products and services since 1945.

It was founded in 1945 by three Clinton brothers – Jack, William (Bill) and Barry – who had signed a contract with General Motors to market their products in the Macarthur region.

For nearly 40 years since then, Clintons Motors sold thousands of vehicles across a number of manufacturers including Pontiac, Buick, Vauxhall, Bedford, Mapleleaf, Holden and Mercedes Benz.

In 1984, Clintons became a Toyota franchise for the Macarthur and Lakemba regions. In 1987 Mario Kordovolos joined the Clintons Motors team and in 2007 took full ownership of the business after being Barry Clinton’s right-hand man for many years. 

Subsequently, Mario and his four sons – Kristian, Kurt, Kane and Klint – have grown the business, providing the Macarthur community with new goods, services, and employment opportunities.

In 2013, Clintons Toyota moved from its Queen Street location to its current site on Blaxland Road. This site also houses the group’s pre-delivery centre. 

In December 2016, the business closed the Clintons Toyota Narellan site and re-opened to the brand-new and current, state-of-the-art facility in Gregory Hills. 

This site also became home to one of the group’s newest additions, Lexus of Macarthur. In the same year, the group bought South Coast BMW, and established Macarthur BMW, Macarthur BMW Motorrad and Macarthur Prestige Body Shop.

In June 2019, Clintons Motor Group bought Noble Automotive (Noble Toyota and Volkswagen), adding more brands to its portfolio.

In 2021, the group was re-branded as 4K Automotive. 

Footnote: Pitcher Partners Motor Industry Services supported 4K Automotive Group by facilitating what is being seen as a transformational acquisition of the Phil Gilbert Motor Group. This strategic move is designed to enhance 4K Automotive Group’s position as a leading dealer group in the Australian automotive industry.