Fairfax takes aim at new car sales with joint venture

The high-yielding new car sales market is being targeted by a new joint-venture which will see Fairfax Media partner with The Motor Report.

The 50:50 joint venture between 112, which owns themotorreport.com.au, and Fairfax’s Drive.com.au will aim to capitalise of the latter’s reach across Australia with publications such as The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

The venture will be headed by former Carsales.com.au executives Shane Pettiona, who will become a director, Anthony Pettiona, who will be chief executive, and Con Lagos who will become national dealer director.

The venture will focus on new car sales rather than the used market and there are plans to invest heavily in customer service and editorial, Anthony Pettiona said.
“The aim of the joint venture is to strengthen and maintain Drive.com.au’s position as Australia’s premier trusted automotive editorial brand, and use that as a launch platform to create Australia’s premium destination for new car buyers,” he said.
Shane Pettiona said the venture will look to help consumers all the way through the sale process, from the thought to buy a new car right up to the transaction.

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