| Industry | Automotive retail |
|---|---|
| Key people | Clair Murray (Chairman) Doug Murray (CEO) Arthur Fast (CFO) |
| Employees | 800+ |
| Divisions | Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Hyundai |
| Website | Murray Automotive Group |
In 1926 A.A (Andy) Murray began to sell Star, Essex and Hudson cars from his agricultural implements business in Souris, Manitoba. By 1934 Andy had expanded his operation to include the General Motors line, which was to become one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers.[1] Over the decades the business has continued to grow and has now evolved into a group that consists of 20 Canadian dealerships from coast to coast. Today, The Murray Automotive Group has over 1000 employees and sells nearly 15,000 vehicles each year making it one of Canada’s leading automotive groups.[2]
Contents |
In May 2003 Hall Pontiac Buick GMC in Abbotsford, British Columbia was purchased by the Murray Automotive Group and became Murray Pontiac Buick GMC. In June 2007 Abbotsford Motorcade, Abbotsford's Chevrolet Cadillac dealership, was purchased by the Group and became Murray Chevrolet Cadillac. By mid 2008, the two dealerships were granted permission by General Motors to combine operations at the Murray Chevrolet Cadillac site in the Fraser Valley Automall and became Murray Chevrolet Cadillac Pontiac Buick GMC (commonly referred to as Murray GM - Abbotsford). Stocking a large inventory of both new and used vehicles, they service the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland areas of British Columbia.
In 2010 and 2011, the dealership was given first place balloting in the Abbotsford Times Readers Choice Award as Abbotsford's Best New Car/Truck Dealership's.[3]
In April 2008 Yarmouth Motormart in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia as well as its satellite location in Barrington, Nova Scotia was acquired by the Murray Automotive Group. These two dealerships marked the Murray Auto Groups first acquisitions in Eastern Canada. The two locations which were being operated by Pat Sullivan since the death of her husband Chris Sullivan, were renamed Murray Motors Yarmouth, and Murray Motors Barrington. The new managing partner is Jeff Little, a 15-year General Motors of Canada employee.[4]
Murray Chevrolet in Leduc, Alberta joined the Murray Automotive Group in August 2008. It dealt largely in trucks due to the large number of oil and farm businesses nearby. In June 2009 General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy,[5] and as part of the restructuring plan it chose to not renew its sales and service agreements with 245 Canadian dealerships.[6] Leduc received its termination letter in spring 2009, although having planned to keep their doors open until October 2010, they received an offer for the property and decided to sell. They closed their doors November 30, 2009.[7]
The Murray Automotive Group was awarded Platinum status in 2009. This distinction is only given to businesses that qualify for Best Managed for a minimum of 6 consecutive years.[8]
In 2005 the Murray Automotive Group was selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers.[9]
Murray Chevrolet Winnipeg, Manitoba