Jarvis History

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.

Timeline history of the Jarvis Group