THUNDER BAY - The Half-Way Motors family got a little larger Thursday, with the acquisition of a long-standing local dealership.
John Trevisanutto, former dealer principal at Half-Way Motors Nissan and current advisor, announced the purchase of the Mazda dealership, Target Motors Inc., which has been operating in Thunder Bay since the early 1970s and now located on Tungsten Street.
Trevisanutto said Mazda has always had a strong product and he recalled losing more than one deal to Target Motors.
“Mazda for a long time was one of my competitors,” he said.
“But dealers in Thunder Bay are very good. Consumers are fortunate to have the quality of dealers that we have here.”
The role of principal dealer and general manager of the Mazda dealership falls to John’s son, Patrick, who is excited to take on this new challenge.
“We want the consumer to know that they have a dealer behind them that will support them going forward with whatever their needs may be,” he said.
“We hope that customers will recognize our brand, which is Half-Way Motors and the fact that we have always strived for customer service,” John Trevisanutto said.
“I won’t say we’re perfect, but we try very hard to have a very positive customer experience for everybody and we’d like to bring that here.”
The Mazda dealership currently has a staff of seven and Trevisanutto said they are all very enthusiastic about the new ownership.
“I think they are a group that’s really looking forward to growing with us and I think they are happy to be part of the Half-Way Motors family,” Trevisanutto said.
The Mazda dealership will remain on Tungsten Street, however, Trevisanutto added that he does hope to see the dealership expand to the size of Half-Way Motors, which employs nearly 50 people, and if so, a change of location might be necessary.
“We don’t really take anything for granted,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot of work. I think the Half-Way Motors brand will help.”
