About Morrey Auto Group in Greater Vancouver, BC

When a youthful Syd Morrey and his wife Doris left their home in southern Saskatchewan in the late 1930s and headed for Vancouver, in the hopes of starting a small gas station, he couldn't possibly have imagined that he was taking the first steps towards founding one of B.C's most enduring family-run auto retailing businesses. Looking at the management structure of the Morrey Auto Group today, it's hard to imagine that there wasn't a 'master plan' for what might be termed the ultimate family business.

Morrey established his White Spot service station (later a Shell station) in Marpole, across from a strip mall where all the businesses used the White Spot name in some form or another. There was a White Spot Dry Cleaners, a White Spot Grocery and other variations according to the service offered. One of the White Spots sold hot dogs from a converted bus and was run by a young man who would one day become a business and sports icon in B.C. - Nat Bailey. To this day, the Morrey Auto Group holding company bears the name White Spot Services Ltd., but of course, has no relationship to the restaurant chain.

Back then, it was quite common for service operations to take on a vehicle brand or two and automakers were happy to accept this arrangement when many of them were still establishing themselves. Automotive retailing was a simpler business in the 1930s and 1940s, contrasting with the very high cost of setting up a dealership today. Syd Morrey took on both Studebaker and Austin, the latter make being a major seller in B.C. in the post-war years. At that time, auto sales outlets were independent retailers, rather than franchisees.

Morrey adapted well to the retail auto business and prospered as the years went by. Described as a strong character by those who knew him, he was well up to the task of competing with more established dealerships. The Morrey family grew to include twin boys Gary and Lyle, and a daughter Barbara. Born into the business, the boys became involved early in their lives and went on to run the operation when Syd retired. From the start, the twins worked in all facets of the business, swapping jobs regularly to learn the ropes in every department. This lead to taking the gas station to a higher level and continuing to sell Studebaker and Austin products.

In 1964 the opportunity came up to take on a Datsun (now Nissan) franchise and this was enthusiastically accepted. In 1969 the company moved to what is now Morrey Saturn Saab at the northwest corner of Lougheed Highway and Willingdon in Burnaby. Today, no dealer in Canada has operated a Nissan dealership for so long under its original ownership. Morrey's second Nissan dealership was acquired just over 10 years ago in Coquitlam. Of course, Japanese automakers were struggling to establish themselves back in the 1960s and were decades away from the leadership role they enjoy now. At a time when most cars were big and brash, compact imports won more than the occasional snigger from other drivers, but the writing would soon be on the wall. A Japanese auto franchise was by no means a guarantee of success, but Morrey wisely persevered. Syd Morrey was one of the first North American dealers to visit Japan, tour the Datsun plants and see the cars rolling off the assembly line.

As the dealership grew, the company was among the first operations of its type in the province to set up apprenticeship schemes for mechanics. Syd Morrey was also a pioneer in encouraging licensing for auto mechanics and worked in the community on various issues affecting the retail automobile business. He was a founding member of the Automotive Retailers Association (ARA).

Twins Gary and Lyle married and started families of their own and each marriage produced sons. Today, the Morrey Group encompasses four dealerships and each is managed by one of the sons - "the juniors," as they're known around the group. The twins are still very much involved, but the sons run the businesses on a day-to-day basis. The Morrey dynasty probably stands alone in Canada - and certainly in the auto business - for its longevity and unique family structure. Syd Morrey could hardly have planned things better, as it turned out.

Right now, the Morrey Group covers three major brands - Nissan, Infiniti, and Mazda. The dealerships include Nissan Burnaby (Jarrett Morrey), Infiniti Coquitlam (Jason Morrey), Nissan Coquitlam (Jason Morrey), Morrey Mazda Vancouver (Rick Morrey), and Morrey Mazda North Shore (Steve Morrey). The Mazda dealership is located in the new and very successful North Shore Auto Mall in North Vancouver. Early April saw the establishment of another Mazda franchise, Morrey Mazda of Vancouver. It also worth mentioning that Morrey has the largest import body shop in B.C.