Some car dealerships change hands every few years. Others become part of a city’s identity. Gerry Gordon’s Mazda falls firmly into the second category, and the man whose name is on the building has been at the centre of it for over four decades.
This article looks at who Gerry Gordon actually is, how he built the longest-serving Mazda dealership in Canada, and what makes Gerry Gordon’s Mazda in Winnipeg different from a typical dealership experience.
Who Is Gerry Gordon?
Gerry Gordon came to Winnipeg as a young man from Northern Ireland, where his father had already worked in the auto business. Before he ever sold a Mazda, Gordon built a reputation as a race-car driver and mechanic specializing in high-end European models, a background that gave him a technical understanding of vehicles most dealership owners never develop firsthand.
That mechanical grounding turned out to matter. Rather than approaching car sales purely as a business opportunity, Gordon came into the industry already knowing what made a car worth driving, and worth fixing properly.
From Mechanic to Mazda Dealer
Gordon signed on as a Mazda dealer decades ago, at a time when Mazda was still establishing itself in the Canadian market. That decision turned into one of the longest continuous dealership relationships in the country. Gerry Gordon’s Mazda has since become known as the longest-serving Mazda dealership in Canada, a distinction the store has held onto through decades of industry change, ownership shuffles at other dealerships, and shifting consumer habits.
Gerry Gordon’s Mazda: A Winnipeg Institution
Location and Basic Details
Gerry Gordon’s Mazda operates out of 1717 Waverley Street in south Winnipeg, Manitoba. It’s a full-service dealership, meaning customers can handle everything from new vehicle purchases to parts and maintenance under one roof.
Here’s a quick reference for anyone planning a visit:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1717 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, MB R3T 6A9 |
| Phone | 204-475-3982 |
| Weekday hours | Generally 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 or 8:00 p.m. |
| Saturday hours | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Owner | Gerry Gordon |
| General Manager | Patrick McAvoy |
| Service Manager | Doug Makichuk |
What Sets It Apart From Other Winnipeg Dealerships
Longevity alone doesn’t explain why a dealership keeps customers coming back for decades. A few things consistently show up in how people describe their experience at Gerry Gordon’s Mazda:
- Low-pressure sales approach. Multiple customer accounts describe staff who focus on fit rather than pushing a quick sale.
- Service reliability under pressure. Reviews mention same-day repairs for issues like a snapped alternator belt or a broken key fob, even without advance notice.
- Attention to small details. Customers have noted their vehicles being washed after routine service, a small gesture that adds up over repeated visits.
- Community presence. The dealership is known locally for hosting Mazda-related community events, not just running a sales floor.
- Long-tenured customer relationships. It’s common to find reviewers who’ve bought multiple family vehicles from the same dealership over many years.
Gerry Gordon’s Mazda Winnipeg: Vehicle Lineup and Services
New Vehicle Selection
The dealership carries Mazda’s full current lineup, including popular models like the CX-5, CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, CX-90, Mazda3, and the MX-5. That range covers everything from compact sedans to larger SUVs with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, giving Winnipeg shoppers a genuine variety of choices rather than a narrow selection.
Pre-Owned and Certified Vehicles
Beyond new inventory, Gerry Gordon’s Mazda maintains a certified pre-owned program aimed at buyers looking for a lower price point without sacrificing reliability. Financing options are available for both new and used purchases, which is standard across most dealerships but worth confirming directly given how often rates and promotions shift.
After-Sales Service
Where the dealership seems to earn the most repeat business is in its service department. Maintenance, genuine Mazda parts, and accessory installation are all handled on-site, and customer feedback consistently points to quick turnaround times, even for unplanned repairs like a check-engine light appearing mid-road-trip.
Why Longevity Matters When Choosing a Dealership
Consistency in Parts and Service Knowledge
A dealership that’s been servicing the same brand for over 40 years has almost certainly built up deep institutional knowledge of that brand’s common issues, part numbers, and service quirks. That’s a real advantage over newer dealerships still building out their service history with a given automaker.
Trust Built Over Multiple Vehicle Generations
Several customer reviews mention buying more than one vehicle from Gerry Gordon’s Mazda over the years, sometimes across different family members. That kind of repeat business is difficult to manufacture through marketing alone; it typically reflects a dealership that’s earned trust through consistent treatment over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Gerry Gordon’s Mazda in Winnipeg? Gerry Gordon, who came to Winnipeg from Northern Ireland and previously worked as a race-car driver and mechanic specializing in European vehicles, owns the dealership.
How long has Gerry Gordon’s Mazda been in business? The dealership has operated for over 40 years and is recognized as the longest-serving Mazda dealership in Canada.
Where is Gerry Gordon’s Mazda located? It’s located at 1717 Waverley Street in south Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Does Gerry Gordon’s Mazda sell used vehicles? Yes. The dealership offers a certified pre-owned program alongside its full new vehicle lineup.
Does Gerry Gordon’s Mazda offer vehicle servicing? Yes. The dealership has its own service department handling maintenance, repairs, and genuine Mazda parts.
Is Gerry Gordon still actively involved in the dealership? Yes. Gerry Gordon remains the listed owner, with a management team including a general manager and service manager handling day-to-day operations.
Final Thoughts
Gerry Gordon’s Mazda is a rare example of a dealership that’s stayed under the same ownership and the same brand relationship for over four decades, in an industry where that kind of stability is genuinely uncommon. Gerry Gordon’s background as a mechanic and race-car driver clearly shaped a business built around technical know-how rather than just sales volume, and that foundation still shows up in how the dealership operates today.
If you’re in Winnipeg and shopping for a new or pre-owned Mazda, or you just need reliable service from people who’ve been doing this longer than almost anyone else in the country, Gerry Gordon’s Mazda on Waverley Street is worth a visit.
