Tony White Group snaps up Coffs Harbour Toyota Hyundai dealership

Regional motorists haven’t joined the stampede for electric vehicles – and there’s good reason, says the man who’s taken the keys at one of country NSW’s landmark dealerships in Coffs Harbour.

Changing of the guard at Coffs Harbour Toyota as it’s been acquired by the Tony White Group. File picture from 2019.

A young son of a gun is at the wheel as one of Northern NSW’s landmark motor vehicle dealerships changes hands.

Coffs Harbour Toyota has been brought into the fold by the powerful Tony White Group, which also owns Bellbowrie Motors in the city.

The Toyota/Hyundai dealership had been long held by the Skinner family, but patriarch Warren – 54 years in the trade – has decided it’s time and has ‘retired’ to work at The Pier Hotel, which he owns.

The new dealer principal is Anthony White, son of Tony, who founded and serves as CEO of the parent group, which is Australia’s largest family-owned automotive business.

Mr White (Jnr) is young to take over the Coffs operation at age 26 – but is no P-plater, having cut his teeth in senior roles at Byrne Ford in Brisbane and a Toyota dealership in the Illawarra.

Coffs Harbour Toyota Hyundai dealership changes hands as it becomes part of the Tony White Group. Pictured is new dealer principal Anthony White with team members Ryley Schneider and Susan Soutar. Picture: Chris Knight

“It’s not my first Toyota rodeo,” Mr White said.

“We’re confident with where the town is going and the opportunity for a lot of growth.”

Coffs Harbour Toyota Hyundai has a plush waiting area for customers. Picture: Chris Knight

Adding Coffs Toyota to the stable alongside Bellbowrie “made strategic sense from a synergies point of view”, he said.

A keen golfer and 10-handicapper, Mr White said he planned to significantly expand the yard’s used car offering.

Anthony White: “There’s still not an electric car that can tow a two-tonne caravan.” Picture: Chris Knight

“They didn’t really play in used cars here and the group is strong in that,” he said.

It’s also a nod to the reality of supply shortages for new builds.

“There are big wait times on new cars and it will be another year or two before the stock starts freeing up, but it’s getting better,” Mr White said.

The legend: Now former Coffs Harbour Toyota dealer principal Warren Skinner with a hybrid Corolla. Picture: Chris Knight

Super popular models like the mid-sized RAV4 are challenged by “12-plus month” delays from the time of ordering to delivery.

“People are still buying but they’re better educated and understand the wait times for new vehicles, so they’re planning better,” Mr White said.

One of the big talking points in regional NSW is whether the time is ‘right’ to take the plunge on an electric vehicle.

Tesla drivers queue at the dedicated charging station at Coffs Harbour as Christmas-New Year traffic chokes the Pacific Highway. Picture: Chris Knight

Just after Christmas, there was a traffic jam of Teslas at the Park Beach charging station at Coffs – basically where drivers travelling from Sydney or Brisbane could run out of juice.

Mr White was cautious on EVs’ position in regional areas after that extraordinary scene,

“We’re not quite there yet, the infrastructure (charging ports) isn’t quite there,” he said.

“There’s still not an electric car that can tow a two-tonne caravan.”

Coffs Harbour Toyota Hyundai dealership has a fabled history of industry success and support for community groups. Picture: Chris Knight

Mr White said Toyota was focused on offering a suite of powertrains – from the traditional combustion engine through to hydrogen, and enjoyed about 50 per cent of the Australian hybrid market.

Coincidentally, the Solar Citizens lobby body has commissioned a report which touts significant savings for regional communities such as Port Macquarie if strong fuel efficiency standards are introduced in Australia.

Former owner Warren Skinner assisted with the Hyundai Australia-sponsored World Rally Championship round in Coffs Harbour from 2011. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

The report will be released today (May 17) at Taree, where the nation’s first electric ute will be displayed.

Coffs Toyota though remains focused on the ‘now’, and with some 50 workers on the books, the dealership is a significant local employer.

“It’s really good and has a family feel about it,” Mr White said.

But it’s no cushy ride having your dad as group chief executive officer.

“There is of course that extra pressure, but he is very supportive,” Mr White said.

Under previous owner Warren Skinner’s watch, the dealership won respect from the Coffs community, as it sponsored numerous community groups and events, including Pink Silks Cancer, Men’s Shed, women’s refuge, and the Coffs Cup.