On Friday, July 8th, Bramgate Automotive Inc. broke ground at the site of Audi Brampton’s future home in the 410 – Mayfield Auto Mall (south east corner of Hwy 410 and Mayfield Road in Brampton). This three-storey, state-of-the-art, 60,000 sq. ft. facility will offer customers a new kind of buying and service experience, coupled with the award-winning customer service that Bramgate’s dealerships have become synonymous with during their 50 years serving Brampton, Mississauga and the GTA.

Among those on hand for this significant event were Audi Canada’s President, Daniel Weissland; President and CEO of VW Credit Canada, Darren Maloney; and Mayor Linda Jeffrey from the City of Brampton. They were joined by Bramgate Automotive’s President, Bill Johnston Sr., and his two sons, Brad Johnston, VP of Bramgate Automotive and GM of Audi of Mississauga; and Bill Johnston Jr., VP of Bramgate Automotive and GM of Bramgate Volkswagen.

“Brampton is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and a diverse and vibrant market. Our new design and increased space will allow us to better meet the needs of our customers and growing community,” said Audi of Mississauga GM, Brad Johnston, about their future dealership. “We’re very excited for the next chapter in our group’s history, especially looking back at how far we’ve come since our start 50 years ago.”

Audi Brampton will be the third franchise for the Johnstons since opening the doors to their VW dealership on Queen Street East in Brampton in 1967. Audi of Mississauga, opened in 2006, has been serving Mississauga and the surrounding area for the last 10 years. Bramgate Volkswagen opened the doors to its new 50,000 sq. ft. facility in the 410 – Mayfield Auto Mall just last November, after moving from its long-time Queen Street location. The Johnstons own two other facilities as well, both operating out of their previous Queen Street address: Bramgate Pre-Owned Centre, a pre-owned vehicle dealership; and Bramgate Collision Centre, a body shop specializing in Audi and VW vehicles.

During the post-groundbreaking breakfast at Turnberry Golf Club, Bill Johnston Sr. looked back fondly on Bramgate Automotive’s 50 years in business. He recalled his modest beginning, operating out of a single-car, dirt floor showroom with two service bays in a temporary building located at Vodden and Main Street in Brampton. “We’ve grown considerably during the past 50 years, from our first 6,000 sq. ft. facility to our new Audi Brampton store which will be about 10 times this size, and loaded with customer friendly features,” Johnston Sr. explained. He added with a sense of pride that “Bramgate Automotive is one of the longest standing, family owned automotive groups in Brampton, and the credit for this belongs in no small part to our loyal staff and the leadership of my sons, Brad and Bill Jr.”

Construction is scheduled through 2016, with Audi Brampton’s Grand Opening planned for summer 2017.