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New owners for Wellington Motors

Woods family sells business to AutoCanada, who have also purchased Guelph Hyundai

Wellington Motors on Woodlawn Road has been sold.

The family-owned auto dealership has been a fixture of Guelph’s business community since 1940 and until recently was owned and operated by Ted Woods and his son Mike Woods.

Press releases issued by Edmonton-based company, AutoCanada, announced that it recently purchased Wellington Motors and, in a separate transaction, Guelph Hyundai on Woodlawn Road.

Wellington Motors vice president Mike Woods confirmed the acquisition and said he has been helping with the transition. He was quick to assure customers and the people of Guelph that this will not change the dealership’s commitment to its customers and the community.

“We just celebrated our 75th anniversary and are excited about celebrating the 100th anniversary of Wellington Motors,” said Woods.  “All of the award-winning staff that the city has come to know and love are still here working hard.”

Woods said the dealership that was started by his grandfather Wilson Woods 76 years ago, will continue to support local groups and charities.

“All of our partnerships with Run for a Cure, the Guelph Storm, the MS Society, the Guelph Food Bank and the Children’s Foundation will continue,” said Woods.

AutoCanada CEO Steve Landry echoed that commitment in a press release.

“We are thrilled to acquire such a flagship store in Ontario,” said Landry. “The Woods family has been a staple in the Guelph community and AutoCanada intends to continue that strong tradition.”

Auto Canada, is a publicly listed company and one of the largest multi-location automobile dealership groups in Canada. They operate 54 dealerships comprised of 62 franchises from coast to coast.

“I have great respect for Steve Landry and AutoCanada,” said Woods. “They are great people and they will do a great job overseeing the company as it heads toward its 100th anniversary.”

The sale of Guelph Hyundai was announced Nov 28 and should be finalized before the end of the month said owner and president Graham Dennis.

Dennis, started Guelph Hyundai in 1984. He said he has been thinking of selling the dealership for a while and made up his mind during a recent vacation out west with his wife Catherine O’Reilly, who is also vice president.

He had offers from six different companies but chose AutoCanada because of their family-based business philosophy and commitment to community.

“There is certainly an opportunity for growth with such a large company like AutoCanada,” said Dennis.

The purchases are part of AutoCanada’s plans to expand the company’s presence in the province.

“AutoCanada is pleased to add to our cluster dealership model in the Guelph area and increase our business in Ontario,” said Landry.


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Troy Bridgeman

About the Author: Troy Bridgeman

Troy Bridgeman is a multi-media journalist that has lived and worked in the Guelph community his whole life. He has covered news and events in the city for more than two decades.
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