Carmichael Ford sold to new owners
LONG-TIME family-owned Townsville business Carmichael Ford is being sold to Brisbane’s Q Automotive Group.
The company’s executive director, Andrew Carmichael, announced the sale yesterday.
“It is with considerably mixed emotions that I am announcing that, effective October 1, the ownership of Magnetic Motors Pty Ltd, trading as Carmichael Ford and Mercedes-benz Townsville, has been sold to the Q Automotive Group from Brisbane,” Mr Carmichael said.
He said it was ultimately for the future of the company’s staff that the decision had been made.
“The acquisition of the company by Q Automotive will see a significant cash injection into the business, securing the future for it and all the amazing people that work there,” Mr Carmichael said.
“Carmichael Ford and its staff will join the most successful and progressive Ford dealer group in the country, bringing a renewed sense of life to an industry icon in Townsville.”
Mr Carmichael said Gary Lewis would remain dealer principal of both Carmichael Ford and Mercedes-benz Townsville.
He praised the efforts of Mr Lewis, who he had watched grow from an apprentice into a passionate, respected and dedicated leader.
“Together we have faced a lot of significant challenges over the last few years,” Mr Carmichael said.
“Gary’s dedication and the commitment of all the staff to work so incredibly hard to get the business back to where it should be has been simply amazing,” Mr Carmichael said.
Mr Carmichael took over Carmichael Ford from his father, David Carmichael, who had operated the dealership in Townsville since 1977.
It expanded into other dealerships and finance to form the Carmichael Group of Companies, operating outlets in Townsville, Ingham, Ayr and Bowen. Carmichael Ford remains one of the largest regional Ford dealership groups in Australia.