History of Southern Motors
As one of the oldest names in Australia's motor car trading history, Southern Motors has proudly delivered exceptional service for the past 80 years.
The Southern Motors story began during a period of great change, as the roaring 1920's drew to an abrupt end when the Wall Street Crash of 1929 ushered in the world's darkest economic period The Great Depression.
Undeterred by the challenges of the time, Southern Motors opened its doors in 1929 and immediately gained a reputation for its service as a Victorian distributor of the General Motors Pontiac range.
Australia was becoming a vibrant nation with plenty to be proud of in the late 1940's after recovering from World War II, and Southern Motors was there helping signal a new era in Australian motoring.
Southern Motors was appointed as a Victorian distributor for Holden new cars and parts in 1948 and played an integral role in introducing Australians to their new favourite motor car.
General Motors ceased Australian imports of the Pontiac range in 1972. From there Southern Motors devoted its focus to specialising in the General Motors Holden range.
This time saw Southern Motors regularly top General Motors' list of highest volume selling dealerships in Australia. In some months the team would sell over 500 new cars and more than 750 used cars.
During this prosperous period Southern Motors branched out and established a wholesale business, Auto Trade Auctions.
Southern Motors celebrated its 50th anniversary as a general motors dealer in 1979, and was proud of its status as Australia's oldest General Motors dealer.
The past three decades have seen many changes in the motor car industry, and over time Southern Motors has transformed to become a trusted name in the sale of quality used vehicles.
We're proud of our experiences in new car sales and motor car auctions, and draw upon them to deliver exceptional service to our used car clients. We also deal on a wholesale level, supplying quality used cars to businesses around Australia.
Our current inventory includes an exciting list of surplus vehicles from Calder Park Motor Sport, and a number of vehicles from the illustrious Jane family's private car collection.