Bobby Zagame

ZAGAME Automotive Group (ZAG) is poised to open in Adelaide, marking the first time the 19-year-old premium automotive retailer has ventured outside of Victoria.

Managing director Bobby Zagame also revealed to GoAutoNews Premium that he has rejected any thought of making ZAG a public company, saying it would be “too onerous”.

Mr Zagame said he had bought premises in Adelaide “so we’re looking at opening a dealership by the middle of the year”.

Asked what he plans to sell in Adelaide, he said: “Lamborghini and McLaren.

“They are currently not in Adelaide and we have applied for those franchises,” he said. “It’s not confirmed yet so we’re treating it as a work in progress.”

Asked if he had any plans to list his company, Mr Zagame said: “For me, I do this job because love it and I only sell the brands that I believe in.

“I get asked about listing ZAG as a public company but I love what I do and I love going to work in the mornings. When I get sick of that, then maybe it could be a different story.

“So, until then, I don’t want to go public and have the onerous responsibilities of being in charge of a public company.

“We have a great crew of people in management and staff and I feel obligated to them. They have given me a lot of their time. So it will stay the way it is.”

The planned move to Adelaide would put ZAG closer to the latest and largest motorsport facility in Australia at Tailem Bend.

The complex, which has multiple circuits and will next month host events including the V8 Supercars, is only an hour from Adelaide.

It would give another string in the bow of the Zagame Autosport program that is a vital part of ZAG’s business.

“Our brands are track and performance focused,” he said.

“Ferrari and McLaren are big on motorsport, so we have a Challenge 488 car that we recently purchased, and we have a GT4 McLaren and it gives customers the chance to experience them.

“If they want to compete and buy a racecar, or just have track days with a racecar rather than their road car, then that’s what Autosports is all about.

“It’s purely for our customers to experience the cars in a track environment.

“But it’s more about keeping our customers with us. You buy our cars because it’s a lifestyle decision – it is not just a commodity, so we want to give them other experiences.

“If they don’t enjoy the car, eventually they’ll just sell it. So we want to give them options and alternatives with their cars that keeps them with our brands, so they may want to buy another one and become a bigger part of their lifestyle.”

By Neil Dowling

Zagame Richmond