The "Mills" History

Mills Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. has been a member of the Oshawa, Ontario business community since 1938. Recently having celebrated it 65th anniversary, this General Motors dealership was formerly known as Cliff Mills Motors Limited and was located at the intersection of King Street and Park Road until February 2004. The longevity of this dealership is a reminder of the stability and growth of the City of Oshawa, with roots extending deep into the community’s history.

Mr. Cliff Mills was the original owner, and his name is still proudly used by the business. Cliff Mills started the company as a Nevr-Nox gasoline station and car lot at the southeast corner of King Street and Park Road.

As time passed and the company grew, plans were made to move the dealership across the street to enable the firm to expand its capacity for new vehicles and enlarge the service department. On February 7, 1947, the doors of the new showroom and service department were officially opened. This single line Buick dealership expanded to incorporate Pontiac and GMC Trucks, and its services grew to include Used Vehicles, Service, Collision Repair and Parts.

Over the years the building was updated and re-modelled many times as part of “Mills” continuous expansion program. This original philosophy of “growth through goodwill” has not been altered to this day.

In 1969 the dealership changed hands when Mr. Wally Wilson, a long term employee of the firm, assumed ownership. Mr. Frank Wonnacott, who began his career with the firm in 1956, purchased the business in 1985 and continued to expand the business and earn the respect of the local community.

The dealership changed hands once again, as Mr. Glenn Willson, a long time Oshawa businessman and friend of Frank Wonnacott, assumed ownership in December 1998.

Today the old gas pumps are just a memory, but the company’s dedication to meeting its customers’ needs has never been stronger. Customers return over the years to purchase their General Motors cars and trucks because “Mills” has established a personal relationship with them.

In 2002 plans were made once again to expand in an effort to meet the needs of the dealerships’ customers’. In late 2002 construction begun on a brand new facility at the corner of Bond Street and Ritson Road where the dealership is located today. The business moved to this new facility in February 2004.

The new facility is state of the art and was built with one primary focus in mind - to meet the greater service demand of our customer and ensure that the customer of “Mills” is its first priority. In addition, this new facility offers an environment in which the management and staff may enjoy more comfortable and enjoyable working conditions.

The dealership also changed it’s name in 2003 to better reflect the products which it sells and services, while retaining the reference to and memory of its founder, Mr.Cliff Mills.

The new location also brings with it much history as it is the original location of General Motors of Canada. On this site there was the original Headquarters building, a testing and engineering facility and the Staff Garage.

The professional sales team at “Mills” believe that although selling a vehicle is a very important first step, providing expert service to keep the automobile performing at its peak is an ongoing process.

In addition to selling, leasing and servicing new vehicles, “Mills” maintains a large Used Vehicle Department where customers may select from a variety of late-model reconditioned cars and trucks.

The Mills Collision Centre is also well-known in Oshawa for its craftmanship in repairing vehicles. This reputation keeps the department busy at all times.

Personnel at the dealership in 1938 would likely be amazed at the style and selection of General Motors products available today. The manufacturer has incorporated the latest in technology into its product offerings which include everything from luxury sedans, to economical automobiles, SUV’s and trucks.

Mills Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. is a unique dealership which prides itself on maintaining its leading edge position in the automotive industry in Canada.

It is not surprising why doing business with Mills Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. has become a tradition with many families.