Duttons Mitsubishi and Hyundai Murray Bridge combines tradition with cars of the future
Duttons general manager Diana Graziano, Mitsubishi sales consultant John Muir and Duttons marketing co-ordinator Liane Brandt stand by a new RAM truck. Photo: Michael X. Savvas.
The historic Duttons car dealership at 45 Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge, has been rebuilt and expanded its range of products – and its staff are genuine and easy to do business with.
Jack Dowling, managing director of Duttons on Adelaide Road, is both proud of Duttons’ 74-year history in Murray Bridge and excited about the company’s expansion, with a total dealership rebuild and the introduction of a new franchise, RAM Trucks.
“RAM Trucks have taken a big hold in Australia, and there is a big appetite here for the large pick-up trucks,” Jack said.
Chrysler originally bought the site and developed a dealership in the 1950s.
Flash forward to 2023 – and RAM Trucks joins Mitsubishi and Hyundai in the new state-of-the-art facility.
Duttons general manager Diana Graziano, marketing co-ordinator Liane Brandt and Hyundai sales consultant Evie Longstasse welcome you. Photo: Michael X. Savvas.
Jack Dowling and wife Julia own Duttons, and Julia is the granddaughter of Ned Dutton, who started the company, making it now a third-generation family business.
“We’re hoping to go to the fourth generation,” Jack said with a twinkle in his eye.
Although the same family of owners gives the company stability, Duttons moves with the times.
“As part of the regeneration of the site, we’re excited to bring RAM into Murray Bridge, and RAM has an association with Chrysler as well, so we’ve gone full circle,” Jack said.
Such historical connections are important to Jack, who’s also proud of the many long-term employees who’ve worked at Duttons.
“Rosemary Daish had a 45-year career at this site, and Rob Reu had a 40-plus-year career with Duttons,” Jack said.
At the launch of the new facility on 3 June, visitors can see the state-of-the-art workshop and new showroom complex, as well as the new service centre, which now includes a lounge area with television, free tea, coffee and Wi-Fi, along with charging stations for your phone or laptop.
There’s also a dedicated workshop should you need to catch up on any work-related matters while you wait.
Relax while you’re waiting in the comfortable new lounge area for the service centre. Photo: Michael X. Savvas.
General manager Diana Graziano talked about what the business expansion means for Duttons’s loyal customers.
“We’ve doubled the capacity of our service department, and we’re delighted to introduce RAM to the Murraylands and to our customers throughout South Australia,” Diana said.
Jack Dowling wants to take his customers with them into the future.
“We want them to feel a part of the exciting changes when they come in and look around,” he said.
“We’ve been the number one Hyundai facility in Australia for two years in a row thanks to our exceptional customer service and the feedback from our loyal customers who we’d like to thank for their support over many decades.
“Our motto is ‘Genuine and easy to do business with’, and that’s what we want to emulate in the new facility.”
Duttons are easy to do business with. Photo: Michael X. Savvas.
Join Duttons at the opening of the new facility on Saturday, 3 June to help celebrate. Everyone’s welcome.
“There’ll be test drives, a barbecue, door prizes and special offers, so come and check out our new vehicle line-up,” Diana said.
More information about Duttons: Visit duttons.com.au or phone 8531 5500.