Supercheap Auto is an Australian automotive parts and accessories retailer. It was founded in 1972, operating as a mail-order business and opened its first store in Brisbane in 1974. It now has 300 stores across Australia and New Zealand.

Supercheap Auto
FormerlySuper Cheap Auto[1]
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1972
FounderReg and Hazel Rowe
Headquarters,
Area served
Australia, New Zealand
Key people
Benjamin Ward (managing director)
ProductsAutomotive parts and accessories
OwnerSuper Retail Group
Websitesupercheapauto.com.au
Supercheap Auto store in Cannington, Western Australia

History

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Supercheap Auto was founded by Reg and Hazel Rowe in 1972 as a mail-order business. The couple sold imported battery chargers and other automotive accessories from their home. In 1974, they opened their first store in Fortitude Valley.[1]

The company has over 300 stores throughout Australia and also in New Zealand, the 250th being Timaru in New Zealand and the 300th being Holden Hill in South Australia.[citation needed]

Store formats

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Supercheap Auto has some newer formats stores including 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) Superstores at Oxenford, Alice Springs, Cannon Hill and Caboolture and smaller 400 m2 (4,300 sq ft) stores as well as more common 700 m2 (7,500 sq ft) formats.[citation needed]

Sponsorships

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Supercheap Auto-sponsored Holden Commodore VF of Russell Ingall in 2013

From 2005 to 2020, Supercheap Auto held sponsorship naming rights for the Bathurst 1000. It has also sponsored several Supercars Championship teams since 1997 under the brand Supercheap Auto Racing, including Steven Ellery Racing (2000–2004), Paul Weel Racing (2005–2007), Paul Morris Motorsport (2008–2011), Walkinsaw Racing (2012–2015) and Tickford Racing (2016–2020).[2][3][4][5]

It was naming rights sponsor of the Bathurst 1000 from 2005 until 2020, and became the naming rights sponsor of the TCR Australia Touring Car Series in 2021.[6][7]

After the Supercars title and Bathurst race sponsorship went to Repco in 2021, Supercheap became an associate sponsor of Triple Eight Race Engineering as well as naming rights sponsor for entries in the 2021 and 2022 Bathurst 1000.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Passmore, Daryl (25 August 2013). "Reg and Hazel Rowe". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  2. ^ Ingall switches to Walkinshaw The Age 9 November 2011
  3. ^ REC sale the end of an era for Paul Morris Speedcafe 4 December 2013
  4. ^ Mostert to race Supercheap Falcon in 2016 Motorsport.com 16 November 2015
  5. ^ Jack Le Brocq Signs, Supercheap Auto Re-signs with Tickford Racing Tickford Racing 28 November 2019
  6. ^ Fast facts - Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Supercars
  7. ^ Supercheap partner with TCR Australia Auto Action 14 January 2021
  8. ^ "Supercheap Auto joins Triple Eight in exciting new Partnership". Red Bull Ampol Racing. Triple Eight Race Engineering. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  9. ^ Lowndes and Fraser confirmed for Bathurst wildcard Auto Action 4 June 2022
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