Our Story... so far
At Shift Auto Group, our journey began with a bold vision to transform the automotive landscape. From our humble beginnings in 1993, each step of our evolution has been driven by passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to customer excellence. Every milestone in our timeline is a testament to our dedication to quality service and our pursuit of new opportunities in an ever-changing industry.
Today, our legacy spans decades of growth and strategic expansion – from establishing our first dealership to acquiring leading brands and expanding our footprint across regions. As you explore our timeline, you’ll discover how every chapter has contributed to building a trusted name in the automotive world, while continually setting new benchmarks for excellence and forward-thinking innovation.
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1993
The Foundation Years
Future Shift Auto Group President David O'Leary begins selling cars at O'Leary Pontiac Buick GMC. For the next 20 years, David had success in many roles within O'Leary Auto Group including Sales Manager, Used Car Manager, General Manager, Dealer Principal (Fredericton Hyundai) and eventually Chief Operating Officer (COO) of O'Leary Auto Group. David chose to leave O'Leary Auto Group to start his own business, Shift Auto Group.
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2015
Driven by Passion: The Shift Auto Group Legacy Begins
After 22 years of working in multiple capacities, including General Manager and Dealer Principal for GM, Nissan and Hyundai dealerships, in 2015 David O'Leary steps out on his own and starts Shift Auto Group with his very first dealership - Fredericton Mitsubishi. Their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, quality vehicles, and competitive prices set the stage for a legacy of innovation and growth in the automotive retail industry.
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2016
Embracing Luxury and Innovation: Volvo Cars New Brunswick
In 2016, Shift Auto Group expanded its horizons by acquiring Volvo Cars New Brunswick. This strategic addition enabled us to offer a diverse range of luxury vehicles to our customers, all across Atlantic Canada and to pioneer White Glove Service for Volvo Canada, showcasing our commitment to a higher level of experience and excellence.
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2018
Pioneering Change: The ReCar Revolution
Inspired to revolutionize the used car industry in Canada, Shift Auto Group launches ReCar in Fredericton, Atlantic Canada's first ever fixed-price used vehicle retailer with salaried/non-commissioned Vehicle Advisors. This groundbreaking move marked a new chapter in our story, fueled by our dedication to providing a seamless, customer-centric automotive retail experience that would redefine expectations across Atlantic Canada.
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2019-2020
Quick Expansion: St. Croix Auto and ReCar Family Triples
2019 and 2020 marked a milestone for Shift Auto Group. In a period of 18 months, we grew from two used retail locations to seven, with the opening of ReCar in both Saint John and Moncton, NB and the acquisition of St. Croix Auto, a used retailer with over 18 years of history serving New Brunswick communities. This extended our reach across New Brunswick and offered an even greater selection of high-quality pre-owned vehicles to our customers.
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2022
Embracing New Opportunities: Grand Falls Hyundai
In 2022, we welcomed Grand Falls Hyundai to the Shift Auto Group family, strengthening our portfolio of new car dealerships and offering even more options for our customers. This marked Shift Auto Group's first new vehicle dealership outside of Fredericton, New Brunswick and highlights our continued desire to align ourselves with world-class brands.
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2022
Here we grow again: ReCar Woodstock Opens Its Doors
Also in 2022, we opened our fourth ReCar Dealership in Woodstock NB expanding our reach of used car dealerships and offering even more options for our customers.
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2023
Charting New Territory: Miramichi Kia
2023 brought exciting new opportunities for Shift Auto Group, with the acquisition of a highly respected Kia dealership in Miramichi, New Brunswick. This new venture allowed us to expand our new vehicle offerings beyond the current Mitsubishi, Volvo and Hyundai dealerships. We’re proud to acquire a dealership with a brand that aligns wholeheartedly with our values and places an emphasis on safety; 8 vehicles in the Kia lineup received the 2022 IIHS top safety pick award.
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2023
ReCar Enters a New Market: Halifax, NS
Riding on the success of the 4 existing locations, we opened our fifth location in Halifax Nova Scotia. With expanding into this market we are now able to show Nova Scotians first hand what it means when we say; "How Car Buying Should Be."
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2023
Expanding Excellence: Wonder Auto & Tire Joins Shift Auto Group
In 2023, Shift Auto Group expanded its horizon by acquiring Wonder Auto & Tire, a trusted network of ten Automotive Repair Facilities. Since 1977, Wonder Auto & Tire has been synonymous with expert automotive service. This new chapter enables us to enhance our maintenance and repair offerings, reinforcing our commitment to quality and customer service excellence.
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2024
Forging New Paths: Second Kia Dealership in Fredericton Joins Shift Auto Group
In 2024, Shift Auto Group proudly expanded its footprint by acquiring a second Kia dealership in Fredericton. This strategic move strengthens our presence in the Atlantic region and underscores our commitment to delivering top-tier automotive solutions.
