Sci-Fleet Motors secures a prime gateway site in Brisbane Auto Mall

BRISBANE is set to be home to Australia’s first Auto Mall ... where car dealers and manufacturers will sit alongside a private test track, as well as restaurants and bars, driver experiences and hotels.

WORK STARTS: An artist’s impression of the BNE Auto Mall which is scheduled to open in 2020.

THE largest Toyota dealership in Australia has secured a site in Australia’s first Auto Mall as work begins at the Brisbane Airport on the $300 million project.

Sci-Fleet Motors has secured a prime gateway site in the BNE Auto Mall precinct which will provide an automotive platform for dealers and manufacturers as well as entertainment and shopping, restaurants and bars, driver experiences, hotels and conference facilities.

All facilities will be tailored to the automotive market and wrapped around a 2.5km Mark Skaife designed performance track.

Mr Skaife said the concept was an Australian, if not a world first.

“The concept of having more than one brand on site and having a test track in the centre that can cater for all types of drivers and vehicles in safe and controlled environment is a first certainly in this part of the world,” he said.

Brisbane Airport Corporation general manager commercial business John Tormey said the start of the land development program for the project will see site clearing under way in the second half of 2017 with the opening of the Auto Mall planned for 2020.

“We know that leading automotive brands are continuing to raise the bar, and this requires a new and fresh approach, a new platform, for how they engage with their customers,” he said.

“The future of automotive retailing is becoming more dynamic with a push for higher quality, interactive customer experiences.”

AN artist’s impression of BNE Auto Mall in where Sci-Fleet Motors has been confirmed as its first tenant.

Sci-Fleet Toyota is the largest selling Toyota dealership in Australia and the 15th largest in the world.

The company has multiple dealerships — including Hino and Lexus — spanning across southeast Queensland.

Dealer principal for the Sci-Fleet Group Andrew Scifleet said the project was an exciting and unique prospect for the industry.

“It offers the potential for us to continue to raise the bar in the experience we offer our guests long into the future,” he said.

JLL’s Ben Koop and Jacob Swan are handling commercial negotiations and have received a strong level of interest.

“We are well progressed with a number of groups and expect to make further such announcements in the coming months,” Mr Koop said.

Forecasts prepared by Urbis for expected potential visitation to the BNE Auto Mall precinct, indicates by 2026 annual visitation in the order of 1.4 million a year.