Bill Harbottle has great respect for the way Bob Saunders and his family did business as a Subaru dealer on the old Island Highway.

Harbottle, the president of the Jim Pattison Auto Group which purchased the dealership this summer, is also well aware that the familyB次元官网网址檚 involvement in the community extended far beyond the sales and service that happened on the lot.

B次元官网网址淚n terms of our involvement in the community and the initiatives that (the) Saunders were involved in, weB次元官网网址檙e definitely interested in continuing and maintaining those,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hrough the discussions weB次元官网网址檝e had with Dave Saunders, there will be a lot of these programs that we will partner or jointly participate in, in conjunction with the Saunders Family Foundation.B次元官网网址�

Jim Pattison Subaru will support Comfy Kids B次元官网网址� a vehicle is supplied to families in need with a child undergoing medical treatment in Vancouver B次元官网网址� and the annual charity golf tournament that raises money for the foundation, among other things, Harbottle confirmed.

B次元官网网址淥ur general philosophy is that we do believe in giving back and we like to support initiatives and causes in the communities in which we operate,B次元官网网址� he said. The Pattison way is to provide support in a way that benefits the most in need or the broadest number of people, a style that rather mirrors the philosophy of the Saunders family. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a philosophy we have and practice throughout the automotive group,B次元官网网址� Harbottle said. B次元官网网址淲e do that with our dealerships in Victoria, but Saunders have always been big supporters in the western communities and thatB次元官网网址檚 where we will continue to focus our efforts.B次元官网网址�

On the automotive side of things, he said itB次元官网网址檚 tough to argue with the fact the dealership has come off three of its best years ever. But plans include expanding the pre-owned vehicle business and growing the service department to be able to provide faster turnaround times for customers.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to convert two bays in the service department that are currently used for washing and detailing to technician services.B次元官网网址�

More attention will also be paid to what Harbottle calls the B次元官网网址渄igital business,B次元官网网址� that is, addressing the fact that many people do their initial research online.

An expanded finance department, helped by the B次元官网网址渆conomies of scaleB次元官网网址� this large company enjoys, will see more people employed in Colwood, he added.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exciting for us because weB次元官网网址檝e acquired a real solid business; good people, good reputation, long-term employees that are committed to the customer. So itB次元官网网址檚 easier to step into that situation and sort of provide the resources to build upon.

B次元官网网址淲e will, in time, continue to grow the business, whether itB次元官网网址檚 through satellite locations down the road in Victoria or who knows what. Our main business is in Colwood and the western communities, but thereB次元官网网址檚 lots of room for growth.B次元官网网址�