Gold Coast motor dealer, Von Bibra Robina, is set to undergo its third major expansion at Queensland’s first purpose built automotive precinct, Robina Automall, bringing the Mitsubishi and Subaru brands to CBDRobina for the first time.

The design is being completed for the two new showrooms, which will be built on a 6000sqm automall site adjacent to Von Bibra Robina’s existing Holden, Nissan and Honda dealerships, with the company to call for construction tenders in the coming weeks.

The $200 million Robina Automall, developed by Robina Group, covers about 7.81 hectares at the geographical heart of Gold Coast City and, when the latest expansion is complete, will include virtually every major car marquee in Australia.

Von Bibra general manager Wade Von Bibra said work was expected to begin on the expansion mid year, with the aim of opening the new dealerships by late this year.

“Our business has gone from strength to strength since we first opened in the Robina Automall in 2007,” he said.

“Despite the dampened economic conditions over the past few years, we have continued to grow our business in Robina, in-line with the significant residential, commercial and retail expansion that has taken place in the area.

“Mitsubishi and Subaru build fantastic cars and sales have been going well across both brands, so to bring them to Robina for the first time was a logical step in the expansion of our business.”

Von Bibra purchased about 30,000sqm of land, including Robina Holden at Robina Automall in 2007.

The company expanded to include Nissan and Honda showrooms in 2010 and completed a dedicated Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi service centre, workshop and parts warehouse in 2012.

The latest expansion will include two showrooms, each measuring about 350sqm, along with sales display areas, a detail bay, office space and front, rear and rooftop parking for 180 cars.

“We will employ an additional 15 to 20 people when the expansion is complete, taking our total workforce at Von Bibra Robina to 140,” said Mr Von Bibra.

“Across our entire group, which includes dealerships in Southport and Helensvale, we now employ more than 330 people.”

Robina Group general manager Hylton Slater said the Robina Automall had become Gold Coast City’s premier destination for those wanting to purchase or service a vehicle.

“The vision for Robina Automall was to create a true one-stop-shop for automotive sales and services that was like nothing else available in Queensland,” he said.

“This latest expansion of Von Bibra Robina is one of the final steps in seeing that vision become a reality, and comes on the back of Hinterland Toyota purchasing an additional two sites in the precinct, taking its landholding to more than 1.2 hectares.

“Along with the appeal of being part of a dedicated automotive precinct, these major car brands want a presence in Robina Automall to take advantage of CBDRobina’s phenomenal growth and its location at the geographical heart of Gold Coast City.

“Not only does CBDRobina draw visitors from across the city, due to its central position and ease of access from the M1, but the population of its immediate residential, commercial and retail catchment has grown significantly in recent years and is continuing to do so.”

Mr Slater said a recent study found about 86 per cent of the Gold Coast City population lived within a 20 minute drive of CBDRobina.

Due to the location just off the M1 Motorway, it also draws people from northern New South Wales, Brisbane and the Hinterland towns and communities..

Along with Holden, Nissan and Honda, the Robina Automall features Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen and Hyundai showrooms, and used vehicles and ancillary automotive services including Signature Tyres, Auto Leaders and Robina Car and Dog Wash.