The New Swindon Audi
Recession? What recession? Audi moves into Top Gear by launching new Swindon dealership
Thursday night (13th September) saw around 250 people gather for the launch of the new AUDI Swindon Dealership at Delta Business Park on The Great Western Way.
It brought together loyal customers, enthusiasts and the good and the great from Audi UK, Inchcape, the architects and BDB who built the new ‘Terminal’ design.
Champagne, wine and canapés accompanied a short video and a Q & A session with dignitaries and technical specialists from Audi’s factory.
Then 26 year old Will Martin from New Zealand (the youngest tenor in the world ever to have a No.1 classical music album) entertained the crowd. Will Martin has sung at the Rugby World Cup, Wembley, the Royal Albert Hall and Henley Festival.
Swindon’s Head of Business, Bob McGarva says the evening was all about the new premises, a fantastic product and great people who give their all in support of the Audi brand.
Customers Chris & Caroline Jones could not sing the dealership’s praises highly enough.
Chris said “We love Audis. They’re great cars and the service here is fantastic. Paul (aka Eddie the Chief Technician) looks after us so well it’s why we’ve stayed loyal to the brand. He’s proactive, polite and the people here know us.''
"Any issues are perfectly resolved. Parking used to be a nightmare at the old site so this place is great!”
Customer Alan Rogers has made two important switches in recent years. First he has moved his marketing communications and hospitality business from London to the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border.
Then several years ago he converted to Audi from Jaguar. His business has been thriving ever since and Audi have helped.
Today he returns a loan car for a very important meeting in London while his rare Audi A8 is being looked at and valet cleaned.
Alan said: "The loan car was at very short notice and to come back to a valet cleaned car is a real pleasure. That’s what I call service!"
Financial consultant Andrew Newport came along to get a sneak preview of the Audi A3 which is a 40th birthday present for his partner Alex. She is due to pick it up on Saturday.
When quizzed on how Audi sales are holding up in the recession, Managing Director of Audi UK, Martin Sander said confidently ‘We are not participating in the recession. We have a fantastic product range. Sales are up. Profits are up – It’s all good for us.”
AUDISwindon contacted the Audi Quattro Owners Club and invited enthusiasts Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Hancock, whose white (1989) and black (1988) Audi Quattros graced the entrance.
According to Nigel, "It’s really nice to be one of the first people to love Audis and appreciate them. The 4 wheel drive technology set Audi apart in the 1980s when they swept the board at the Rally Car Championships. The new technology they put in these latest models is all down to the Quattro I still drive!"
The event was sponsored by Arkell's Vinters, with catering supplied by Restaurant 20 at The Kings.
Swindon Audi Launch
Thursday 13 September 2012
Written by Rhona Jack
20 at The Kings
