MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

R13 Million Revamp for PE landmark

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After 44 years of service,the landmark VWSA building, situated on Mount Road is undergoing a revamp to the tune of R13 million.The revamp will boast a new VW Crafter Workshop, be home to the MotoRent division and every floor has been remodeled with new amenities for staff and customers. “We will be back in operation in August,” said Mr. Alan Taverner chairman of Tavcor Motor Group.

The revamp also prepares a way for a new franchise, Tavcor Commercial Vehicles – sales and service as well as VW Mastercars – since theVW Passenger franchise for sales and service,is now situated on William Moffett.

Dealer Principal, John Els said that, “The full range of commercials will be available on display and the service division will cater for older car owners as well as commercial vehicles.”

The Mount Road premises will remain the headquarters of the Tavcor Group as well as the trade parts, accounts and administrative divisions.

Known for many years as the Embassy Building, the Mount Road building, now undergoing renovation was built by LTA Construction in the late 1960’s. It was the home of VW Passenger sales and service for 43 years and also for a short while to the Porsche and Jaguar franchises as well as the Audi franchise which relocated in the 1990’s. Established in 1948, Mr. Taverner Senior went on to buy Embassy Motors in 1961 and later on Alan Taverner took over as GM from 1980 and went on to become the MD in 1981, when his father passed away.

“The building far exceeded its capacity for too many years,” said chairman Alan Taverner. In 2000, it underwent a “face-lift” to become VWSA’s new Piazza concept showroom. At its peak, the building housed 140 people and was responsible for sales deliveries of close to 150 cars per month.

Tavcor Embassy Historic Mount Road
How did they know? Look at the tagline on the bottom right of this historic image of the Embassy Building referring to customers being King – the association carries on today with the tag line about, “No [Bull] Sharks or Cheetahs, our customers are Kings”
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.