Moffatt's - a family tradition

Fresh coffee and homemade cookies at Moffatt’s Northwood Mazda suggest a homey, family environment.

Not surprisingly then, owner Bryan Moffatt is the second of three generations in the local automotive industry. He originally started working beside his father in the elder Moffatt's car shop. "I've been selling cars since I was 16 years old," states Moffat, who turns 56 in September.

In 1973, Ron Moffatt retired and sold the Mercury-Lincoln dealership, which was re-named and later moved. The Moffatt family, however, retained ownership of the real estate.

During the mid-1970s, Bryan explored alternate careers (like real estate) while always keeping a hand in car sales, but determined "it wasn't for me." So, in 1978, he and his wife Ollie purchased the Hilltop Restaurant and Sunoco gas bar just outside city limits on Essa Road. There was a used-car lot on the property as well.

"She ran the restaurant, while I pumped gas and sold cars," he recalls. "In 1981, we moved the business to 280 Innisfil St. (across from the Simcoe District Co-Operative) and sold the restaurant and gas station."

He would later shift the location of the business again down the street to the same property his father had worked at the corner of Essa and Innisfil.

Bryan stayed singularly focused on increasing the profile of Moffatt's Used Car Sales Ltd. until 2005 when businessman Dave Wood (who currently owns and operates Newmarket's Mazda dealership) approached Bryan with a proposal to purchase Northwood Mazda together.

The dealership had been in Barrie for 25 years at that point and was well established at 200 Essa Rd. (across from the fairgrounds).

"So I figured because I have three sons in the business, it would provide more opportunities than selling used cars," he explains. Consequently, he accepted the offer.

For a year, Bryan split his attention between his used-car operation and his new venture down the road. At that point, he sold his original business to concentrate on the Mazda dealership.

Soon, with an eye clearly focused on the future, he started planning a move to join other car dealers migrating to the Mapleview Drive area.

As general manager, Bryan continues to oversee the daily operation of Moffatt's Northwood Mazda. In a development reminiscent of his early years in the business, he works alongside family.

Stephen Moffatt, at 28, is the oldest of Bryan's three sons. A graduate of the business and marketing program at the University of Guelph, he is now sales manager at the Moffatt Mazda dealership.

Younger brother Greg worked in construction for three years before joining the team at Moffatt's.

Now the parts manager at the dealership, Greg prepared for the position by attending the Canadian Automotive Institute at Georgian College.

Unlike his older brothers who sought work experience elsewhere prior to joining their father, Mark headed directly to the sales department at Mazda after graduating from the business program at Fanshawe College in London.

Together, they support many community organizations, responding as often as possible to the daily requests for charitable donations and sponsorships.

As past-president and ongoing member of the Sheba Shrine Club, Bryan has been instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for children's charities.

A family-friendly environment indeed.

What's New

 Meet the 2010 Mazda 6

"Six speed at your fingertips, 272 horses at your toe tips."

Bigger. Stronger. Smarter. The all new 2010 Mazda6 is refined. Re-imagined. Larger than life. The most striking Mazda yet can’t help but turn heads with its more aggressive design. Start with a quick overview of the Mazda6 performance, safety, exterior and interior features in our New Models section of the website, and find out what's new for 2010.

 2010 Mazda3

"the same only better."

"It looks like it's smiling... and it has reason to," said the suits on hand for the launch of the new 2010 Mazda3. Since launching into Canada in late '03, both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of Mazda's '3' have been taking it to compact competitors like Rocky Balboa on Apollo Creed.
Aside from its looks, equipment and competitive pricing, the Japanese-built, multi award-winner has proven single handedly that inexpensive cars need not be the dynamic equivalent of a soppy sponge.

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The Mazda RX-8 was created through the pursuit of a genuine sports car with a totally new, four-door, four-seat format that delivers sports car values, passenger comfort and driving pleasure.

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No one knows your Mazda better than your Moffatts Northwood Mazda Parts and Service Team. And that's why the Mazda Tire Centre is your best "One Stop Source for Tires".

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