History of Pickerings Group
June 20, 1978, Geoff and Lorraine Pickering opened the doors of Geoff Pickering Motors on Sturt Street in Townsville. Over time, Geoff Pickering Motors developed into Pickering Group of Companies, with 24 new car brands across eight cities in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
With Geoff and Lorraine’s son Brendan Pickering now at the helm, the original Sturt Street location still stands growing from one brand to eleven brands. A second Townsville dealership was opened in July 2015 with five additional new car brands, making Pickerings the largest auto dealer in North Queensland.
In 2000, Pickerings extended its footprint south with Burdekin Motor Group opening in Ayr, followed by the opening of dealerships in the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Mackay, Bundaberg and Darwin over time.
Alongside the dealerships, City Vehicle Services provides RACQ services and repairs to the Townsville region, and the Pickerings Group offers car rental services through Sixt in both Townsville and Mackay.
As a 100% family-owned business, the Pickerings Group understands the importance of locals supporting local. Through its partnership with Suncorp Third Party Compulsory Insurance, the dealer group supports several charities important to their local communities.
20 June 1978
Geoff and Lorraine Pickering open Geoff Pickering Motors on Sturt Street (now Pickerings Auto Group) in Townsville.
14 August 2000
Burdekin Motor Group is officially opened on Queen Street in Ayr.
December 2001
Bundaberg Motor Group opens on Bourbong Street in the city.
February 2005
Pacific Motor Group became a part of the Pickerings Group, now with locations in Noosa, Maroochydore and Caloundra.
March 2007
Fraser Coast Motor Centre opens in Maryborough, the first to sell motor cars in the Maryborough and Hervey Bay region.
June 2010
Mackay City Auto Group is established in Kay court, now with six new car brands including Kia, LDV, Volkswagen, GWM, Jeep and Ford.
March 2011
City Vehicle Services becomes a part of the Group, offering RACQ services to the Townsville region.
November 2015
Townsville Auto Group is born, opening its showroom in Garbutt. Townsville Auto Group is home to Honda, Isuzu Ute and Jeep Dodge Chrysler.
November 2015
Darwin Motor Group in Stuart Park becomes a part of the Pickerings Group, now offering ten new car brands along with quality used cars.
February 2018
Townsville MINI Garage opens in Townsville as part of Pickerings Auto Group.
August 2019
Pickerings Auto Group acquires MG brand. The brand is officially opened on Morris Street in Townsville.
March 2020
Townsville BMW opens new showroom for BMW, MINI and Motorrad.
September 2021
Sixt Car Rentals are established in Townsville and Mackay at both airport and city locations.