Visionary and successful car dealer Grant Ericksen already had a successful Volkswagen dealership in place when he turned his eye to Porsche in the early 1960s. He figured the luxury brand was a good fit for the city, and he was right. Porsche Centre Edmonton saw steady growth under Ericksen and that growth continued when Go Auto acquired the brand in 2008.
“We were, and still are, in growth mode,” shares Tim Satanove, Go Auto Platform VP. “We knew Porsche Centre would be a great fit for our organization.”
What makes Porsche such a hit with Edmonton drivers? Satanove explains, “Porsche is a smaller manufacturer when compared to the rest of the luxury sports car industry, and therefore it’s an agile brand in a niche market. The introduction of the Boxster in 1997 gave people an affordable alternative to the Porsche 911. Then the Porsche Cayenne came along in 2003 and this SUV was a great fit for Canada, and especially Edmonton. The Porsche Macan, a smaller SUV, is another excellent car for the area.”
The vehicles are what get drivers interested. The service at Porsche Centre Edmonton is what keeps them coming back.
“We are focused on being more than a car dealership,” smiles Satanove. “We hire people with strong customer service skills above all else because we can train for the rest. Having an outstanding culture is what we strive for along with a team dedicated to creating extraordinary experiences for our customers.”
The extraordinary experience is rooted in one word: convenience. It starts with the location of the dealership. Satanove explains, “We moved to our current location on Stony Plain Road in August. We chose this area because of the ease of access from the Anthony Henday no matter where our drivers are in the city. Our large showroom holds all the model lines and accessories so they can be seen, touched and experienced in real time – not just in a catalogue or on a screen. A fitting lounge is where our customers sit with a sales professional to build their dream car. They can touch and feel paint samples, swap out tires, and more.”
The convenience continues long after the car is purchased. The aftercare service is second to none.
“We have more service bays and a larger service department than most other dealerships,” Satanove continues. “This shortens waiting times. Our Go Auto app allows customers to book service in just a few quick steps and then records the history of service right on the app. On site is an automated 24/7 indoor kiosk so drivers can drop off or pick up their vehicle at any time, including after hours, holidays and long weekends.”
“We have also added a detail centre that provides full-service cleaning in addition to optional ceramic coating and detail wraps. With the weather we have here in Edmonton, you can drive your sports car year-round, as long as you have the proper protection.”
The reputation of Porsche Centre Edmonton cannot be beat. When the 918 Spyder launched in 2014, this $1 million+ car was highly sought after by Porsche aficionados across North America. Yet it was an Edmontonian that was among the first to take possession of this new model. The only two other drivers ahead of him were Jerry Seinfeld and Roger Penske.
Satanove encourages anyone considering a luxury sports car to come check out what Porsche has to offer.
“Two things really stand out about Porsche: reliability and value. It truly is the most reliable sports car. You can drive it on the racetrack and still use it to commute. It’s a comfortable daily use car. Some other brands are flashy and ‘cool,’ but they are not as comfortable or tech-forward. It’s simply a well-rounded vehicle.
“Those looking to get into their first Porsche will find excellent value with pre-owned because Porsche vehicles hold their value extremely well. We also offer an excellent certified pre-owned program that includes two years of warranty. Our pre-owned vehicles have all the maintenance up to date. Pre-owned is a great way to get a high-quality car without the new car premium.”
Porsche Centre Edmonton and Go Auto are very invested in all the communities in which they do business (including Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario). As a dealer group, the brand has donated over $7 million since 2018. The Fuel for School program has delivered more than 300,000 lunches to school children since 2018. All of this is on top of the numerous donations and sponsorships organized by Go Auto dealerships around the city.
For an outstanding experience that starts the moment you walk in the door, visit Porsche Centre Edmonton. The staff, some of whom have been with the dealership since the 1980s, is extremely knowledgeable and highly focused on customer service. Convenience from the location to the aftercare is assured – its one of the reasons why Porsche Centre Edmonton has incredible customer retention. Many drivers return for a second or even third purchase, and several families are generational customers.
“On behalf of the team at Porsche Centre Edmonton,” says Satanove, “We thank the dealer group for investing in this brand. We thank the local Porsche Club for their representation, and we thank our loyal customers. While Edmonton is our largest market, we have drivers from all over Western Canada and into the Northwest Territories.
He concludes, “We are passionate about our brand, and our sales and service teams. Stay tuned because there are even more value-added services on the way, including enhanced purchasing and communication platforms, battery electric vehicles and so much more.”
Visit Porsche Centre on 18125 Stony Plain Road or online at dealer.porsche.com/ca/edmonton. The brand is also active on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.