Ssangyong Welcomes New Key Dealership In South Western Sydney

SYDNEY - October 18, 2010: Ssangyong has announced a new key dealership in Sydney's south west with the appointment of the Dale Group to sell and service the entire 100 percent pure diesel range of Ssangyong vehicles from its base in Bankstown.

Dale Ssangyong will be located at the Dale Group's prime dealership site on the Hume Highway, bringing the marques' European engineered range of SUVs and people movers to the area.

Dealer Principal, John Stark, says Ssangyong is an exciting addition, which brings an extra dimension to the Dale Group of dealerships.

"We are very excited by Ssangyong and the possibilities it delivers not only to our dealership but to our customer base across Sydney," said John Stark.

"I have been surprised and delighted by the quality from Ssangyong with its line-up of economical turbo diesel SUVs and people movers which fill a number of key niches in the market with real value for money pricing," he said.

"From the value-for-money Actyon Sports ute at $24,990 right the way through to the top-of-the-line luxury seven seater Rexton there is a Ssangyong model to answer the demands of a range of customers in the fastest growing sectors of the vehicle market," he added.

"As well as that we are very excited by the new Ssangyong Korando expected later this year - a small fuel-efficient SUV with great looks and fantastic ride and handling, it is the vehicle that will put Ssangyong on the map in Australia in my opinion.

"The improvement in Korean vehicle quality and engineering in recent times is really stunning and we are very pleased to add Ssangyong to our portfolio of brands here at Bankstown," John added.

Dale is an independent, family-owned dealership that works closely with the local community in Bankstown where it has been a fixture for almost four decades.

"The Dale Group has over the years become a landmark in the Bankstown area with locals often telling friends to travel along the Hume Highway until you reach our dealership then you're at Bankstown," said John Stark.

John Stark and his business partner Rex Conway both started their careers in the car industry at the Bankstown dealership in the 1970s when it was known as Jack Brabham Ford and were involved in the successes of its later incarnation as Dale Ford throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Both Rex and John moved to other dealership groups through the 1980s and 90s before coming out of retirement to purchase Dale Ford in May 2007, bringing with them a highly experienced management team, which they describe as "The best of the best".

John and Rex have exceptionally high standards, taking pride in delivering superior service ensuring customers get the car that best suits their needs.

"Our motto is a 'New approach to old fashioned service' and our customers have told us they really appreciate our approach," says John Stark.

"We looked at Ssangyong and realised it was a brand that was going places and offered the sort of vehicles we wanted to sell here in Bankstown," he said.

"The quality was right, the engineering was right and the diesel engines are exactly what the market is calling for.

"With a focus on more fuel-efficient cars people are increasingly looking towards turbo diesel engines as a solution for their transport needs and Ssangyong delivers just that with great quality, equipment and pricing," he added.

"My next door neighbour at home drives a luxury European SUV and was stunned and amazed at the quality, comfort, luxury and pricing of my Ssangyong Rexton which says a lot about the brand," John Stark concluded.

Ssangyong Australia's national sales and marketing manager, Steven Thomas, says the appointment of the Dale Group in Bankstown followed an extensive appraisal of the local market, which identified the company as a strongly run business that would properly represent the Ssangyong brand in Sydney's South West.

"John Stark and Rex Conway have a great reputation in the industry and have built a loyal following over many years and we believe they will drive Ssangyong sales while delivering strong customer service," said Steven Thomas.

"John, Rex and their team have shown their professionalism over many years with a range of franchises and have the runs on the board so we are confident Ssangyong is in good hands in the area," he said.

Dale Ssangyong is located at 206 Hume Highway Bankstown where the full range of Ssangyong light commercials, SUVs and people movers are available along with service and parts back up.