In September 1984, a young Ford Motor Company Executive and graduate gave up a successful career with the manufacturer in Melbourne to purchase a small, family run motor vehicle dealership in Trinity Gardens, South Australia.
The dealership, Jarvis Ford, had only became available for sale due to its owner, Steve Jarvis, passing away from cancer at an early age. At the time of the sale, a promise was made to Steve Jarvis’ widow Rita that the Jarvis name would be kept and the business run with the utmost integrity.
Since 1984 when there was a staff of 43 operating from one location, the Jarvis Group has grown today to over 250 employees and eight dealership locations, with new-car franchises for Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Isuzu Ute, Suzuki, Skoda, Peugeot, Citroen. Over time a large used car operation with in-house reconditioning has been established as well as a Stihl shop in the Barossa Valley.
The Jarvis Group of Companies is one of the largest privately owned automotive groups in Australia. It is a Quality Assured business and a major supporter of the local community and charities, donating in excess of $10 million to a wide range of South Australian and South East Asian charities.
The promises made to Rita Jarvis have been kept.
Jarvis Ford, 190 Portrush Road, Trinity Gardens is purchased.
Frontline Ford at 477 North East Road, Hillcrest is purchased and commences trading as Jarvis Ford.
A new dealership is built and opens at the major intersection of Main North and Grand Junction Roads at Gepps Cross and commences trading as Jarvis Ford, specialising in used vehicles.
Treloar Motors at 218 Kensington Road, Marryatville is purchased and commences trading as Jarvis Ford.
A new site is purchased at 1278 South Road, Clovelly Park and commences trading as Jarvis Used.
Jarvis is appointed as a Toyota Dealer and the Jarvis Used site at Clovelly Park is rebranded as Jarvis Toyota.
The Jarvis Gepps Cross site is expanded and doubles in size.
Further expansion occurs at Gepps Cross, with Jarvis 4x4 and Commercials commencing trading across the road from the main site.
United Motors is purchased and commences trading as Jarvis Subaru from the corner of Hindley Street and West Terrace in Adelaide’s CBD.
The Jarvis Ford Site on Kensington Road is rebranded as Jarvis Subaru Used Vehicles.
A new site purchased at 29 Main North Road, Medindie to house Jarvis Subaru’s new vehicle sales whilst a new dealership is built in Adelaide’s CBD.
Jarvis Subaru’s brand new premises open at 190 West Terrace, Adelaide.
Eblens at Angaston is purchased and commences trading as Jarvis Barossa, with franchises of Subaru, Suzuki, Isuzu Ute and Stihl Shop, with the additional franchise of Skoda being appointed later in the year.
Work commences on building a brand new site for Jarvis Barossa at 50-52 Murray Street, Tanunda.
Jarvis Barossa relocates from Angaston and opens a brand new dealership at Murray Street, Tanunda.
Jarvis Peugeot commences trading at 29 Main North Road, Medindie and a second Jarvis Skoda location commences trading at 477 North East Road, Hillcrest.
Jarvis Skoda relocates from Hillcrest and opens a brand new dealership at 193 West Terrace, Adelaide.
Jarvis Ford Norwood expands its service capabilities, adding an additional state-of-art service centre
Jarvis Toyota open at Somerton park October 2024.
Jarvis commmences building Gepps Cross 2 July 24.