Following a divestment by Mercedes-Benz Canada, the Dilawri Group of Companies has absorbed ownership of six Mercedes locations in Vancouver that previously formed the automaker’s Vancouver Retail Group.

The move was announced Wednesday and was immediately effective. The automaker is conducting a worldwide assessment of its Mercedes-Benz Cars sales and after-sales networks, and this transfer of ownership is part of that.

Mercedes-Benz Canada’s share of corporately owned retail locations was one of the highest globally, the company said in the news release.

That contributed to the automaker divesting the Vancouver stores to trim its overall Canadian corporate retail footprint.

“Throughout this process, our priority was to find a buyer who would maintain the same high standards of sales and service that our customers have come to expect from these well-established Vancouver locations,” Mercedes-Benz Canada president and chief executive officer Brian Fulton said in a news release.

“After a comprehensive review, which incorporated several of the leading Mercedes-Benz dealers across the globe, Dilawri Group of Companies emerged as our retailer of choice. In addition to their excellent retail experience and strong reputation in the industry, we were impressed by their commitment to our retail employees who are integral to creating positive experiences for our customers,” he said.

“We are confident that our customers and employees are in very good hands with Dilawri; they are experienced, reliable, socially responsible and invested in the dealerships’ long-term success. We look forward to supporting their efforts in Vancouver in the months and years to come.”

‘Honoured and thrilled’ to expand

Through this transfer of ownership, Dilawri takes on ownership of five dealerships and one bodyshop, as listed below by the companies:

• Mercedes-Benz North Vancouver (two locations):
  • North Vancouver (Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Service)
  • Bodyshop (Mercedes-Benz Cars Service)
• Mercedes-Benz Richmond (two locations):
  • Richmond (Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Service)
  • Richmond Service Center (Mercedes-Benz Cars Service)
• Mercedes-Benz Boundary (one location):
  • Boundary Road (Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Service, Mercedes-Benz Vans Sales & Service)
• Mercedes-Benz Vancouver (one location):
  • Terminal Avenue (Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Service)

Before this transaction, Dilawri already had Mercedes stores in Langley, British Columbia and Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec as part of its portfolio.

The companies emphasized the new ownership will not impact Mercedes customers.

Ajay Dilawri is the dealer group’s principal director, a role he shares with his brothers, Tony and Kap.

“We are honoured and thrilled to expand our partnership with Mercedes-Benz through the addition of these high-profile locations. We are committed to continuing the Mercedes-Benz tradition of delivering exceptional customer service and showcasing the brand’s lineup of world-class vehicles,” Ajay Dilawri said in a news release.  

“We look forward to working closely with our new colleagues at the six locations and would like to officially welcome them to the Dilawri family.”