Christian Chia. Those open roads.
It was back in the year 2000 when Christian Chia decided to establish a modest set of automobile dealerships, initially four, calling the company OpenRoad Auto Group.
OpenRoad Audi Boundary sets the new standard
BURNABY, B.C. – Another month, another grand opening for OpenRoad Auto Group.
THE LADDER. Christian Chia: 'Attitude is much more important than skills and education'
Christian Chia is president and CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group Ltd., a Richmond. B.C.-based company operating 18 full-service automotive dealerships across 15 brands, ranging from Toyota to Rolls-Royce.
Openroad dealership GMs talk new stores, bigger location, used cars & more
It has been a busy year on the expansion front for OpenRoad Auto Group, an 18-store group covering 15 franchises in British Columbia.
OpenRoad unveils North America's first facility to showcase Jaguar Land Rover's new dealership design at the Grand Opening of Jaguar Land Rover Langley
LANGLEY, B.C. (May 10, 2016) – OpenRoad Auto Group and Jaguar Land Rover Canada marked the grand opening of Jaguar Land Rover Langley with a celebration of the brand’s British heritage and latest innovation on March 5th. Wolfgang Hoffmann, President of Jaguar Land Rover Canada and Christian Chia, President of OpenRoad Auto Group officiated the grand opening ceremony which included an exclusive unveiling of the Jaguar F-PACE performance SUV and the all-new Jaguar XE compact luxury sports sedan. The new facility is the first dealership in North America to showcase Jaguar Land Rover’s new corporate identity and global dealership design.
“British Columbia remains a high priority region in Jaguar Land Rover Canada’s growth strategy,” said Mr. Hoffmann. “Jaguar Land Rover Langley’s stunning new facility exemplifies the commitment of our retail partners to deliver outstanding customer service and an experience deserving of the Jaguar Land Rover name.”
Located in the Langley Auto Collection, the Fraser Valley’s only luxury auto mall, Jaguar Land Rover Langley is currently the only dealership in North America to showcase Jaguar Land Rover’s new global dealership design known as “Arch”, which seamlessly blends both luxury brands under one roof with a refreshed corporate identity. The 33,000-square-foot facility boasts state-of-the-art features and amenities, including a modern customer lounge, specialized delivery area and an advanced service centre. Since opening last December, sales and service have been strong and are expected to increase with Jaguar Land Rover’s expanded line up of new models and the projected population growth in the Fraser Valley.
“We are thrilled to bring a ‘little British’ to our mix of luxury brands here in Langley,” said Christian Chia, President and CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “So far we’ve been pleased with our success here and look forward to solidifying this dealership’s reputation as a focal point for Jaguar Land Rover enthusiasts by offering the very best car buying and service experience customers expect of this bespoke luxury brand.”
More the 300 guests enjoyed the British-themed grand opening event last Thursday which included a custom designed Land Rover outdoor lounge, complete with fine scotch, gin and handpicked cigars, plus a signature dish from Vancouver’s award winning Hawksworth restaurant. Guests were also invited to tour the facility and take a close up look at Jaguar’s latest models – the much-anticipated Jaguar F-PACE SUV and the Jaguar XE – before they hit the consumer market. According the Jaguar Land Rover, the F-PACE is designed and engineered to offer the agility, responsiveness and refinement that Jaguar cars are renowned for together with the exceptional dynamics and everyday versatility of an SUV. Whereas, the Jaguar XE is described as a true driver’s car that redefines the concept of the sports sedan thanks to its advanced lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior, and outstanding ride and handling. Sales for both vehicles will commence in May 2016.
High resolution event photos are available upon request. For more information about Jaguar Land Rover Langley, please visit their website.
From left: Mayor Ted Schaffer, City of Langley; Christian Chia, President & CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group; Wolfgang Hoffman, President of Jaguar Land Rover Canada; Daniel Russman, General Manager of Jaguar Land Rover Langley; and Paul Gommerman, National Network Development & Training Manager
OpenRoad displays vintage Jaguars and Land Rovers at the grand opening of Jaguar Land Rover Langley.
Guests at the grand opening of Jaguar Land Rover Langley witness the unveiling of the 2017 Jaguar F-PACE luxury SUV.
OpenRoad’s Jaguar Land Rover Langley
About OpenRoad Auto Group
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.’s largest volume dealer group with more than 900 associates representing 14 quality automotive brands at 17 full-service car dealerships. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards. www.openroadautogroup.com
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturing business built around two iconic British car brands with a rich heritage and powerful consumer appeal and loyalty. Additionally, Jaguar Land Rover is at the centre of the UK automotive industry’s drive to deliver technical innovation in all areas of vehicle development. As the UK’s largest automotive employer, JLR has a world class team of nearly 32,000 people. Jaguar Land Rover has two state of the art engineering and design facilities and four advanced manufacturing plants in the UK. Headquartered in Mississauga in Canada, Jaguar Land Rover Canada ULC is represented by 24 retail outlets. www.jaguar.ca www.landrover.ca
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanis Sullivan
tanis@tanissullivan.com
(604) 230-8008
Canada's Newest VW Dealership Open For Business At OpenRoad Volkswagen Burnaby
BURNABY, B.C. (May 26, 2016) – OpenRoad Auto Group is pleased to announce that OpenRoad Volkswagen, Canada’s newest Volkswagen dealership is officially open for business in Burnaby. The 45,000 square foot facility is the region’s largest and most modern VW dealership offering a flexible and transparent customer experience, along with modern, friendly hospitality. OpenRoad VW is also the new home of the very first VW Beetle to land in Canada in 1952, where it is currently on display.
“We are pleased to partner with the team at OpenRoad Auto Group for this exciting new landmark dealership,” said Maria Stenström, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. “OpenRoad VW has set a new benchmark for our organization, and will undoubtedly be very well received by our Vancouver-Burnaby customer base.”
Upon entering the new dealership, guests are greeted by a large scale digital “Welcome Wall”, which is the first in a VW dealership in Canada. The wall displays messages in various languages, along with an array of VW images, video and promotional information. The spacious dealership features a large selection of new and pre-owned VW models in a showroom equipped with iPads available for customers to search for inventory and calculate payments. The large service area has 18 service bays, a detail centre, automated car wash, modern customer lounge and ample free parking.
Specialized OpenRoad VW dealership services include Solo Test Drive days, OpenRoad House Calls, Service Valet, free car washes and free equipment rental of items like bike racks and ski racks. The dealership will also be hosting regular non-sales related events for VW customers and enthusiasts, like the upcoming open house on Saturday, May 28th which will be a fun afternoon of German-inspired currywurst, drinks, and live entertainment.
“At OpenRoad Volkswagen Burnaby, we’re passionate about VW and are committed to offering a superior VW ownership experience for not only our customers but the community at large,” said Ben Lovie, General Manager of OpenRoad Volkswagen Burnaby. We’re excited about our future here and look forward to building many strong connections with VW fans for years to come.”
OpenRoad Volkswagen Burnaby will hold a private grand opening celebration on August 13 that will be attended by VIP guests including, Maria Stenström, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group Canada Inc and Christian Chia, President & CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group.
High resolution photos are available for download, upon request. For more information, visit the OpenRoad Volkswagen website.
About OpenRoad Auto Group
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.’s largest volume dealer group with more than 900 associates representing 14 quality automotive brands at 17 full-service car dealerships. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards. www.openroadautogroup.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanis Sullivan
tanis@tanissullivan.com
(604) 230-8008
OpenRoad Auto Group awarded Gold Standard status as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies
OpenRoad Auto Group team is proud to once again be recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for excellence in business performance. The designation makes OpenRoad the only B.C. company in the automotive category to receive the prestigious award.
2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn Unveil
OpenRoad unveils “sexiest Rolls ever built” at Vancouver launch of the
2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn
VANCOUVER, B.C. (November 17, 2015) – Striking, sleek and sensuous. Those were just some of the words guests at the Vancouver unveiling of the 2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn used to describe the iconic manufacturer’s latest luxury model. Designed to appeal to a new generation of Rolls-Royce owners, the elegant four-seat drop head coupe remarkably balances the brand’s heritage with contemporary desirability to produce a car that Rolls-Royce describes as the “sexiest Rolls ever built”.
“As it’s name suggests, the Dawn symbolizes a new era for Rolls-Royce – one that is fresh, sophisticated and modern while embracing the brand’s reputation as the pinnacle of opulence,” said Dimitri Kotsalis, General Manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver. “We’re seeing a lot of renewed interest in Rolls-Royce and with the launch of the Dawn, we’ve already witnessed an influx of younger customers who are not only attracted to the brand, but are also enticed by the style and performance of this car.”
According to Rolls-Royce, the demographic of the average Rolls owner has changed dramatically over the last decade. The average age of a Rolls owner is now said to be in their mid-40s and span the spectrum of professions, from real estate moguls and investment bankers to successful lawyers and construction company owners. The company also claims it’s witnessing a growing number of female buyers. Since 2003, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has introduced new models like the Wraith and Phantom in an effort to appeal to the growing number of younger buyers.
The Dawn’s distinguishing features include its sleek and elegant design, which from the rear is said to reflect the contours of the female form. Unlike its competitors, the Rolls-Royce Dawn offers two full rear seats, holding four adult passengers comfortably for the ultimate sociable driving experience. Rolls-Royce also claims it is the quietest convertible ever made, with an ultra-hushed folding mechanism known as the “Silent Ballet” that can stow the roof in 22 seconds at speeds up to 32 mph. The elegant convertible boasts some of the most advanced technology, including a new 10.25-inch infotainment screen operated by the latest version of the Spirit of Ecstasy controller, a multi-way joystick complete with a finger-swipe gesture pad that can interpret various languages, including Arabic and Mandarin. Among the other high tech gadgets is a night-vision system that detects the heat signatures of pedestrians and animals; radar-based cruise control with start/stop; adaptive anti-dazzle LED headlamps; and a GPS-enabled eight-speed automatic transmission that anticipates the road ahead for optimal gear shifts. As for the engine, the Dawn is powered by Rolls’ 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V-12 engine, giving an impressive 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque.
The OpenRoad unveiling was held during an exclusive event on November 12th at the Steel Toad Brewery and Dining Hall. Official pricing will be announced on November 24th but the expected started price will be in the $400,000 range. The Dawn is set to arrive in Vancouver in the Spring 2016.
For more information about the Dawn, visit https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/en-GB/dawn.html
About OpenRoad Auto Group
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C’s largest volume dealership group representing 14 brands at 16 dealerships in Vancouver, Richmond, Port Moody and Langley. OpenRoad has earned a reputation as a people-first organization with recent Top 10 Best Employer (2016), Best Managed Company (Deloitte 2014) and CADA Innovator of the Year Laureate (2012) awards. The team at OpenRoad prides itself on offering a superior new and pre-owned selection of quality automotive brands while providing a premium car buying and ownership experience for each and every customer. www.openroadautogroup.com
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanis Sullivan
Tanis Sullivan Communications
(604) 230-8008
OpenRoad and CARPROOF Announce Strategic Partnership
OpenRoad Auto Group and CARPROOF Announce Strategic Partnership Aimed at Innovations to Make the Used Car Buying Experience Fun for Consumers
LONDON, ON, Nov 12, 2015 – OpenRoad Auto Group and CARPROOF Corporation are proud to announce their new innovation partnership aimed at making the used car buying experience easy, transparent and FUN!
Launched in 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group is one of the largest, most innovative and fastest growing automotive retail groups in Canada. The company has over 750 associates that represent 14 new car brands and over 450 used vehicles throughout 16 locations in British Columbia.
“At OpenRoad, our goal is to take the used car buying experience to the next level by making the process easier and more transparent while continuing to provide the best service and value for our customers,” said Mark Lin, SVP & COO at OpenRoad. “We’re thrilled to partner with CARPROOF, Canada’s most trusted company for vehicle history reports to bring new tools and insight to all of our dealerships which will enhance our processes and demonstrate our commitment to providing a superior experience in our pre-owned departments.”
London, Ontario-based CARPROOF is the gold standard in used vehicle information and defines its mission as providing insight through information to help its partners change the way used vehicles are bought, sold and managed.
OpenRoad provides a CARPROOF Vehicle History Report on every car they sell, and is currently piloting CARPROOF’s Vehicle Valuation Report as an appraisal tool to drive transparency and confidence in the trade-in process.
CARPROOF and OpenRoad plan to jointly conduct extensive consumer research to define the next generation used car buying experience. “We’re excited to see where this partnership could lead,” says Ed Woiteshek, CARPROOF’s President and CEO. “OpenRoad is the number one automobile retail group in BC. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them to develop ideas that may define the path ahead in the used car industry.” CARPROOF has partnered with Birchwood Automotive Group and Group Park Avenue to conduct similar ground breaking work in other provinces.
OpenRoad and CARPROOF are both great Canadian success stories and have each been recognized as members of Canada’s Best Managed companies since 2012. To find an OpenRoad location, please visit https://openroadautogroup.com/ and for more information about CARPROOF, visit www.carproof.com.
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About OpenRoad Auto Group
In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group formed to offer car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. One of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, CADA Laureate and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards, the OpenRoad team of over 800 associates represents 14 import brands at 16 dealership locations across B.C., Canada. Visit www.openroadautogroup.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tanis Sullivan (604) 230-8008 tanis@tanissullivan.com
About CARPROOF
CARPROOF is Canada’s de facto standard for used vehicle data, providing products and services that create insight through information for the automotive industry. Offering solutions in vehicle history, appraisal, valuation and more, CARPROOF is synonymous with trusted, impartial and comprehensive used vehicle data. CARPROOF’s vehicle history products are used by dealerships, consumers, major auctions, governments, insurance providers and police agencies across Canada to help users buy and sell vehicles with full transparency. CARPROOF’s vehicle valuation portfolio of products includes Canadian Red Book, which is the leading brand in government and insurance verticals for vehicle values, and other products like its upcoming launch of a next-generation VIN-specific valuation tool that is expected to change the way vehicles are bought and sold in Canada. Based in London, Ont. and founded in 2000, CARPROOF has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, and was also honoured with Deloitte’s 2013 Technology Fast 50™ and Fast 500™ awards. For more information about CARPROOF, visit www.carproof.com.
Connect with CARPROOF on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn.
For further information:
Karim Hemani Vice-President, Consumer Vertical and Strategic Marketing
CARPROOF®
1.866.835.8612 ext. 2849
OpenRoad solidifies reputation as one of the Best Employers in Canada
OpenRoad solidifies reputation as one of the Best Employers in Canada
For the fifth time, B.C.’s largest volume dealership group earns top spot in Aon Hewitt survey
VANCOUVER, B.C. (Nov. 10, 2015) – Employees love to work at OpenRoad. That’s according to a recent survey conducted by Aon Hewitt, which evaluated employee engagement and satisfaction at 236 Canadian companies. For the fifth time, OpenRoad Auto Group earned a spot on the Best Employers in Canada list, ranking in the top 25 percent and placing in the Platinum Employer category.
“It is a great honour to be recognized once again as a top Canadian employer. It certainly validates our efforts to ensure our employees are satisfied,” said Christian Chia, President and CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “We know our employees are critical to our success so we made a commitment many years ago to invest in programs we believed would attract and retain top talent, while keeping our employees happy and productive. Our consistently high scores in this annual survey must mean that we’re doing something right.”
According to the survey results, employees at OpenRoad Auto Group reported high levels of engagement in all categories, citing examples like strong internal communications, fun employee events and specialized programs that support skills training and professional development. Employees also referred to OpenRoad Hearts, an innovative peer-to-peer recognition app that allows employees to use their smartphones to send and receive hearts for going above and beyond the call of duty. Since the app was launched in 2013, there have been over 7,000 individual engagements with links to OpenRoad’s social media feeds where employees and customers can comment and provide positive feedback.
Conducted by Aon Hewitt, a global firm specializing in human resource solutions, the 2016 list of the Best Employers in Canada was compiled based on responses from nearly 625,000. Employees at participating firms were surveyed on engagement (whether they feel motivated at work), performance culture (whether success is rewarded), leadership (whether executives treat their team as valued assets) and employment brand (whether they are proud to work at the company). According to Aon Hewitt’s definition, employees are engaged when they “say, stay and strive”. They speak positively about their employer to others, are committed to staying with their current employer and are motivated by their organization’s leaders and culture to go above and beyond to contribute to business success. On average, 80% of employees were engaged at Platinum Level Best employers this year.
Other industry-leading companies that made the Best Employers in Canada list along with OpenRoad are Federal Express Canada, Intact Insurance Corporation, Delta Hotels and Resorts, PCL Constructors, Keg Restaurants Ltd., Marriot International, Edward Jones and Purdy’s Chocolatier. To view the complete list of the 2016 Best Employers in Canada, click here.
About OpenRoad Auto Group
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C’s largest volume dealership group representing 14 brands at 16 dealerships in Vancouver, Richmond, Port Moody and Langley. OpenRoad has earned a reputation as a people-first organization with recent Top 10 Best Employer (2016), Best Managed Company (Deloitte 2014) and CADA Innovator of the Year Laureate (2012) awards. The team at OpenRoad prides itself on offering a superior new and pre-owned selection of quality automotive brands while providing a premium car buying and ownership experience for each and every customer. www.openroadautogroup.com
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanis Sullivan
Tanis Sullivan Communications
(604) 230-8008