Following is a brief timeline of the growth of Adtrans Group:
- A diversified retail car and truck group which has a major influence on the retail sales and service of cars and trucks in Adelaide, South Australia; Sydney, New South Wales, and Melbourne, Victoria
- Adelaide-based company that operates out of 30 locations around Australia
- A major division of the Group is Adelaide-based BS Stillwell-Ford (founded in 1971)
- 1975 - opened the heavy truck dealership at Regency Park in South Australia
- 1979 - expanded to New South Wales and developed a truck dealership at Milperra, near Sydney
- 1986 - Graham Cornes Motors (Cornes Toyota) was established at Hawthorn in South Australia
- 1987 - Adtrans Group Limited was formed to acquire BS Stillwell-Ford Pty Ltd and was listed as a new and used car and truck retail company on the Australian Stock Exchange
- 1990 - Austrans Truck Centre opened in Melbourne
1990 - Daihatsu franchise opened in Adelaide
- 1995 - acquired Hyundai franchise
1995 - opened “The Truck Centre” on Parramatta Road, Lidcombe NSW
1995 - opened City Service Centre in Adelaide, SA
- 1996 - opened Cornes Toyota 4x4 Centre at Parkside, SA
- 1997 - opened Graham Cornes Used Cars at Medindie, SA
- 1998 - opened Hyundai service centre at Ingle Farm, South Australia
- 1999 - transition from Ford to Sterling trucks
1999 - opened Kia franchise at Medindie, SA
- 2000 - opened Adtrans Used Cars at St Marys, SA
2000 - opened Adtrans Car Service Centre at Melrose Park, SA
2000 - acquired International/Iveco franchise at Dandenong, Vic
2000 - acquired International/Iveco franchise at Regency Park, SA
2000 – 1 December took over Rebel Ford dealership, Elizabeth, SA
- 2001 - 16 January BS Stillwell Pty Ltd changed its name to Adtrans Automotive Group Pty Ltd
2001 - February 1 took over Adrian Brien Automotive (Ford, Hyundai and Chrysler Jeep franchises), St Marys SA
2001 – April acquired Mitsubishi (now FUSO) Trucks franchise at Footscray, Victoria
- 2002 – February acquired Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner franchises at
Milperra, NSW
- 2003 – December acquired the Iveco Trucks Australia dealership located
at Laverton, Victoria, which now trades as Adtrans Truck Centre
2003 - Opened Stillwell Ford Commercial Vehicles at Medindie, SA
2003 - Opened Stillwell Hyundai Service Centre at Prospect, SA
- 2004 - January opened Stillwell parts distribution warehouse at Regency Park, SA
2004 - Launched Stillwell Premium Vehicles
- 2005 - October opened Reynella Hyundai and Reynella Hyundai Service at Reynella and Morphett Vale, SA
2005 - November acquired the business of Whitehorse Truck Centre, Dandenong, Vic, selling Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz and Sterling trucks
2005 - December opened Rebel Ford Pooraka SA branch operation, selling new and used cars
- 2006 - September acquired the business of Australia Wide Transport Spares, Victoria
2006 - November acquired the business of Wayne Phillips Kia at Clovelly Park, SA, which now trades as Adtrans Kia - sales and service departments
- 2007 - Acquired the BCI buses franchise at Footscray, Victoria
2007 - November purchased Best Hino - now Adtrans Hino - operating at Mascot and Gosford, NSW
- 2008 - January purchased Colrain - Traralgon (now The Valley Truck Centre), a truck parts and service centre
2008 - April acquired Camden Hino - now Adtrans Hino - operating at Camden, NSW
OTHER FACTS
Adtrans Group Ltd 2007/2008 turnover $752 million.
Adtrans Group now employs approximately 930 people in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
[In 1987/88 (when Adtrans listed on the Australian Stock Exchange) turnover was $142.3 million and the Group employed approximately 490 employees.]
In 2007/2008 Adtrans Group sold 7,331 used cars and 6,473 new cars in South Australia, along with 2,965 trucks (new and used) nationally.