Car men through and through … third-generation Wagga Motors directors Scott Braid and Richard Braid will celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary in 2025. Photo: Wagga Motors.
Richard Braid used to love going to work with his dad on a Saturday.
He fondly recalls the little take-away shop across the road from the family’s Wagga Motors business where, as an eight-year-old, he was able to buy a huge packet of hot chips for just 20 cents.
“I’d sit with my grandpa and eat them,” Richard says.
“And I used to fill a plastic cup with chips and give them to the NRMA girls (who ran the office next door).”
One of those “girls” was Judy Adams, who would notch up an impressive 50 years with the business before retiring.
“It says a lot about the place,” Richard says.
“Of the 93 people we have on staff at present, 20 have 15-plus years of service.
“Every year at our Christmas party we hand out plaques for long service … we’ve got great staff and great managers.”
Stepping out from his office, 53-year-old Richard nostalgically points out the building that once housed the take-away shop from his childhood.
Indeed, that living history is all around the sleek showroom and modern premises that occupy the current expansive site on Dobney Avenue.
A striking wall of old photographs stands as homage to the third-generation business which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
It was an astute and widely respected Jim Braid who bought the Fitzmaurice Street dealership with his business partner Harold Stivens in May 1950.
Back in those days they sold the likes of British Vauxhall cars, Bedford trucks, American Oldsmobile and Pontiac cars, along with GMC trucks before acquiring the Holden franchise in 1957, in what was to become a bit of a family love affair with the brand.
In the 1960s Richard’s dad, Gordon, and his cousin Scott’s dad, John, bought Harold out, cementing Wagga Motors as a fully family-owned and operated business.
It was inevitable that Richard, now co-owner of Wagga Motors with Scott, went straight out of school and into the car business.
“I was born and bred into it,” he says.
“Every school holidays I’d hang out with Dad and the team, help wash cars and see my grandfather … I loved it then and I still do.”
Richard spent two stints in Sydney gaining valuable hands-on experience in other car dealerships before returning to the family fold.
“I had more hair and less wrinkles back in those days,” he laughs.
And while so much has changed in the car industry over the years, the important stuff hasn’t, he says.
Offering quality cars, personalised customer service – with that trusted family connection – backed by trained technicians and support is what keeps customers coming back, according to Richard.
There’s no doubt customers are more informed these days but one of the challenges is there’s also so much choice, he states.
“My father always said, ‘There’s no good or bad cars out there, just better ones,'” Richard says.
When Holden “pulled the pin” in 2021, the dealership had to diversify and expand into other brands – Korean brands (like Hyundai) are now strong in the market and “the Chinese are coming in too” with brands like JAC and Chery.
“It’s a more affordable market but still with great quality and seven-year warranties,” Richard says.
One of the biggest changes the industry has experienced is in technology, according to Richard, whose first car was a slightly cringe-worthy JB Camira.
“It was burgundy as well so I was definitely not cool driving around Sydney,” he recalls.
In all seriousness though, when you compare a 20-year-old car with the technology seen in cars today, “it’s through the roof”, according to Richard.
“The technology is really complex and we spend a lot of time and resources training our technicians,” he says.
When it comes to the rise and rise of electric vehicles, Richard is somewhat more cautious, explaining there hasn’t been the take-up predicted.
“The market at the moment is slipping,” he says.
“I can understand the government wanting to push these cars, for the environment, but people are very unsure and it will be years before this gets up in regional areas.”
The bottom line is the number one selling market has been and will continue to be four-wheel drives and utes – both for recreational and family use, Richard says.
Online shopping has been another monumental change experienced by the car industry in the past 10 to 15 years, he concedes.
But while you can check out car sales anywhere in Australia with a mere click, this die-hard car man insists nothing beats the feel and touch of actually getting behind the wheel.
“And if you’re going to buy a car, buy off a dealer so you have that peace of mind,” he urges.
The wider community of Wagga has been good to the Braids – and the family has repaid that with ongoing support and sponsorship of countless community and sporting groups over its 75-year history.
“I remember my father asking my grandfather why the hell would you move from the main street (where Wagga Motors used to be) to build all the way out of town,” Richard says.
“That’s how much the city has changed and expanded …
“It’s a safe place to bring up your kids, it has fantastic facilities and Wagga seems to survive and look after itself – even in tough times.
Loading ...
