Midbay Volkswagen celebrates fifty years

THE Midbay Volkswagen story started in 1973 when brothers Mich and Dan Hodgson opened a Volkswagen dealership in Empangeni, at the Sanlam Centre, recalls GM and 'father of Midbay', Stanley Joseph.

"Back then, the Beetle was the most popular car and in old Volkswagen Empangeni - the Midbay name came later - ads in the Zululand Observer, readers were assured of the car's quality and the dealership's service", said Joseph.

The late Mich Hodgson was not just a businessman, but also a leader in the community.

He served a term as mayor of Empangeni as well as chairman of the Country Club.

In 1979, Midbay expanded, relocating to a larger showroom in Ngwelezana Road and also acquired other franchises.

There was even a filling station with a Golden Egg restaurant.

In 1989, another expansion became necessary and Midbay moved to Dollar Drive in Richards Bay.

Mich Hodgson correctly read the signs that the new town would eventually become Zululand's business hub.

Back then, the Dollar Drive dealership complex was the most modern in the area and Midbay added Audi to its growing concerns.

Twenty years later, another upgrade was necessary to meet the standards of local Volkswagen owners, so in 2013 a new sate-of-the-art complex went up in the Richards Bay CBD.

The current Midbay dealership is owned by Mich's two children, Kenneth Hodgson and Tracy Coetzer, who have expanded the family business to include Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Jeep, JAC and BIAC cars.

Midbay is looking forward to the future and will continue to serve Zululand with pride.