Huntly Motors thanks customers as it closes after 47 years
A business which has closed after being a stalwart for 47 years in the town is offering heartfelt thanks to all its many customers during that time.
Huntly Motors called it a day on Friday, bringing to an end an era that began all the way back in 1977.
Gordon Green, the company’s founder, said closing after so many years was a “big wrench” for himself as well as his wife Jacqueline and son Graham who are both also involved in the business.
He said: “It’s been a lot of hard work – pretty much seven days a week – but it’s been a lot of fun along the way too.
“We have had a very loyal and a very good set of customers, however I’m 71-years-old now and it’s time for me to retire.”
In its heyday the business was selling about a thousand vehicles a year which, as Gordon says, is a lot for a place the size of Huntly.
The reward for so many sales was that it was named dealership of the year on a couple of occasions, with prizes including paid-holidays to destinations around the world such as Japan and South Africa.
However, as time has gone on the business has faced steadily growing competition from online sources. In addition, a couple of years ago, Ford made the decision to stop providing new cars to small dealerships.
Gordon said: “Some folk nowadays are willing to pay as much as £30,000 for a car that they’ve never inspected properly, just seen online. Personally, I think they must be mad, but that’s increasingly the way of it.
“When you buy a car online, you get a warranty but, essentially, you’re on the own.
“I believe Huntly Motors developed a very good reputation for our after-sale service.
“If Mrs Smith’s car didn’t start one morning we’d have someone round there in five minutes to get it going again.”
Gordon originally set up the business on Torry Street before moving, in 1983, to bigger and better premises on Deveron Road, where it’s remained ever since.
He was joined in the business just over three decades ago by Graham, who has gradually taken over the reins.
Gordon and Jacqueline have big plans for their retirement. The couple are going on a cruise to Rome later this month, followed by another around the Caribbean towards the end of the year.
The business has sold off all its stock of vehicles but the premises, which contain a kitted-out mechanics’ workshop, remain on sale.
