Press releases

Press release

Montreal, March 11th 2008

H. Grégoire's experts share 10 professional pointers

Montreal, February 2nd 2008

H. Gregoire pursues its growth and opens its first Yamaha branch in Quebec

Montreal, September 4th 2008

Free CarProof for every client: a Québec first

Biography

Michelle Therrien - Marketing Director and Spokesperson

Michelle Therrien - Marketing Director and Spokesperson
H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore

Continuing a brilliant career in communications that began nearly 20 years ago, since 2003, Michelle Therrien has been channelling her talents into serving the largest automobile resale business in Canada. As a speaker, she is known for her enthusiasm, direct approach and lucid explanations. Her meticulously articulated and clearly expressed marketing strategies build loyalty in a growing clientele.

Initially a radio host for CJMS and CKMF, her great versatility as a communicator and her remarkable stage presence quickly garnered a number of mandates hosting live events.

Seven years in radio and hosting resulted in an undeniable media presence for Michelle Therrien, with visibility that would soon serve her well in the television industry. During the mid-90s, she made her debut on the small screen hosting Météomedia. She remained there for 13 years and, for the last 7 years of this period, also worked as a host on RDS.

It was during this time that, in 2003, a chance encounter with Greg Hairabedian, president and founder of H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore, changed the course of her career. Appointed Director of Marketing and spokesperson for H. Grégoire, she held these positions for 2 years while continuing to act as a host for Météomédia.

Two years of running non-stop: a full-time job at H. Grégoire while getting up at 3:30 a.m. to work at Météomédia. She eventually chose to dedicate herself completely to H. Grégoire, the company she loves. Michelle Therrien has since come to be recognized by the public and the media as the face of H. Grégoire in Québec. Besides her duties as spokesperson, Michelle directs the activities of the marketing department.

A dynamic and committed woman, she still finds time to dedicate to her favourite pastime, golf. And what kind of car does she drive? Picture her joyfully zipping along at the wheel of her Audi S4 Cabrio with Tiptronic transmission (an automatic that lets you change gears manually!).

It had only 25,000 km on it when I bought it: it was love at first sight and an incredible deal, says the bold spokesperson. This powerful, sporty convertible truly expresses the way I see the future I envision for this business: the sky is the limit!

Fact sheet

H. Gregory - Canada's Car Superstore

History

H. Grégoire - Le mégacentre auto du Canada

History
For immediate release

H. Gregory - Canada's Car Superstore

With sales reaching 15,000 used vehicles a year (2006), expert H. Grégoire, founded in 2003, has risen to become the hands-down leader in its field, not only for Québec, but for all of Canada. No other business that specializes in automobile resales comes close to rivalling its dazzling growth.

Since its inception, H. Grégoire has invested more than $50 million in setting up huge superstores in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Carignan and Saint-Eustache, as well as its Prestige location. Since July 2006, H. Grégoire has added one new superstore, in Montréal (on Jean Talon Street). The business employs more than 600 people and its operations generate more than 400 indirect jobs

To grasp H. Grégoire's surprising emergence as market leader, it is important to look at the path taken by founder Greg Hairabedian, who has been working in the automobile industry for several years.

Mr. Hairabedian's career as an entrepreneur began when he founded Vente d'auto HG, a company located on Autoroute 640 in St-Eustace, and specialized in used minivan sales. HG rapidly became THE touchstone in its specialized market for the entire Greater Montréal area.

The businessman then identified a unique business opportunity: selling used vehicles (bought in Québec at great prices) in the United States, where the used car resale market is booming. He acquired used vehicles, often almost new, directly from dealers, then resold them through his own American auctions, as well as through other U.S. used car resellers and auctions. Mr. Hairabedian mined this vein until the Canadian dollar appreciated in 2003.

The undauntable entrepreneur then once again identified a new niche and implemented a marketing concept that was different from what was going on locally, drawing on the American automobile auctions he became familiar with in his previous business initiative.

In 2003, Encan Direct H. Grégoire opened for business, using one simple principle: offering Québec consumers the best prices possible by holding public auctions every Sunday. The company name was inspired by the company's vocation as well as by how it was acquiring its used cars. However, demand was so strong and pressing for a multitude of vehicles in every category that the company quickly abandoned auctions to focus on selling used vehicles from multiple sources.

This success is in large part founded on what has become a maxim and business principle for the company: To sell well, you have to know how to buy. From this point of view, H. Grégoire's success is based on its purchasing power and its capacity for choosing its inventory with infinite care, selecting each vehicle according to high standards of quality and market trends, seasonal demand and the evolution of consumers' habits. Their sales and the consumer confidence they have generated leave no doubt that they have created a winning formula.

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