Autoplex Celebrates 30 Years in Business

Autoplex will have plenty to celebrate this Easter with the business’ 30th birthday celebrations.

Arguably one of the biggest Warrant of Fitness specialists in the region, the iconic Southland brand stands by its original values, and the owner has the same dream and vision as when it first opened.

Daniel Blain bought the business off his father David 7.5 years ago to ensure that the ‘One Stop Shop, No appointment’ commitment to customers remained true.

“We have been open 7-days until very recently, due to the labour shortage,” Daniel said, ‘but you can guarantee that if your caravan or trailer needs a warrant on Easter Saturday, Autoplex will be open 8am – 1pm.”

David was never a trained mechanic like his son but he had a passion for vehicles and loved Zephyrs – he started the business to give the motor trade industry a bit of a rev up (pun intended).

Back in the late 1990s, being a motor garage not associated with any of the big brand dealerships, David found it tough going.

But he soon found a loyal following, though his sales background and strong connections in his car enthusiast circles.

“Any promotion we did was very successful, with my experience in business I believe, that the focus should be on the customer.   But they were tough times.”

He admitted to having many sleepless nights trying to look after the customers’ interests, and at its peak the business was seeing 40 to 50 vehicles a day.

“It’s stressful when you’re dealing with the customer and the mechanic.”

Daniel then came along and trained as an apprentice, and once qualified went away and did his own thing for awhile – writing the handbooks for apprentices at the Southern Institute of Technology, as well as a stint with a large dealership in Darwin.

He talks highly of his staff and how hard they work to ensure the customer is always looked after, even if they have to work through their lunch break, weekends, Christmas Holidays or an unusual roster.

“I’m humbled to work with the team.   They are all just so selfless.”

This Easter Friday Autoplex is sponsoring the Southland Dragways at Teretonga Park, in recognition of its 30 year commitment to the motor vehicle industry.

And if you want to come on in and actually see what happens when your vehicle goes through the warrant of fitness process, Autoplex have the business set up to watch all the action.

“It’s all about trying to be as transparent as possible.”