A new automotive dealership in Okotoks opened its doors on July 11, and there is a familiar name behind it.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of Okotoks Volkswagen, part of the Wood Automotive Group. Located on Westland Road, it is the newest dealership under the Wood Automotive Group banner and is a satellite operation of Calgary’s South Centre Volkswagen.
“We’re really excited to be here in the Town of Okotoks, this is a brand-new adventure for us,” said Joshua Buchannan, general manager of Okotoks and South Centre Volkswagen.
“This (satellite dealership) is the first one for Volkswagen Canada,” Buchannan said, “it’s a new concept.”
With the future of electric vehicle (EV) sales requiring far less servicing, he said, the size of facilities can shrink, and the satellite concept will allow for full-service facilities with a smaller footprint.
The Wood Automotive Group already has a presence in Okotoks, and Buchannan is happy to build on that history.
“I think this is going to be a good opportunity for us to work directly with the Town of Okotoks, integrate into the town, and just be part of everything that’s going on out here,” he said, adding that based on the business the South Centre location sees from the Foothills and Okotoks areas, it thought the area was being underserved.
The Wood Automotive Group will be familiar to Okotoks residents as it operates Okotoks Ford and Okotoks Lincoln, and the Wood family has lived in the area for many years.
Gerry Wood, founder of Wood Automotive Group, said they are proud to have served the Okotoks area for more than 30 years.
The Wood family was awarded for its philanthropy in 2021, and the elder Wood was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame in 2017.
The new dealership will have 12 employees to start, Buchannan said, with hopes to employ 25 people as the operation hits its stride.
Executives from the Wood Automotive Group were joined at the ribbon cutting by Pierre Boutin, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group Canada, and Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn.
