PARADISE MOTORS celebrates 70 years

The Norwood Football Club celebrates one of South Australia’s longest-standing family-owned automotive businesses, who marks a remarkable milestone.

Paradise Motors is proud to celebrate 70 years of serving South Australian families, businesses and communities, marking seven decades of continuous family ownership, trusted service and enduring customer relationships.

What began on 1 July 1956 as a small workshop on Lower North East Road in Paradise has grown into one of South Australia’s most respected automotive dealership groups.

Founded by 21-year-old mechanic Reg Neale, Paradise Motors has evolved from a local service station and repair workshop into a thriving multi-franchise operation employing around 75 staff across Paradise Mazda and Paradise Motors Omoda Jaecoo.

The story began when Reg took over the Paradise Motors business after selling his own car to purchase the workshop equipment and petrol stock. With the support of his family and an unwavering commitment to customers, he built a business founded on hard work, integrity and genuine relationships. Over the decades, Paradise Motors has witnessed enormous change within the automotive industry.

From hand-operated petrol pumps and servicing market gardeners’ tractors and quarry trucks in the 1950s, to today’s hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, the business has continually adapted while remaining true to its core values.

They obtained a Mazda franchise in 1978, and began trading as Paradise Mazda. The Neale family’s connection to the business now spans three generations.

Reg’s son, Jeff Neale, joined the business in 1978 as an apprentice mechanic and became Dealer Principal of Paradise Mazda in 1999.

Today, Jeff serves as Managing Director, while his son Ben Neale, who began working in the business in 2004, serves as General Manager for Paradise Mazda and represents the next generation of leadership.

As of 1st July 2026, Ben will be the joint Dealer Principal of Paradise Mazda. In 2025, the family expanded the business by introducing the Omoda Jaecoo brand alongside Mazda, positioning Paradise Motors for the future and providing customers with greater choice, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicle options.

Reflecting on the milestone, Managing Director Jeff Neale said the anniversary is ultimately a celebration of people.

“For 70 years, we’ve had the privilege of serving generations of South Australian families. Some of our customers first dealt with Dad in the 1970s and continue to service their vehicles with us today. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

“Our success has always come down to our people – our staff, our customers and the relationships we’ve built over many decades. While the automotive industry continues to evolve, our commitment to looking after our customers remains exactly the same.” Paradise Motors’ purpose, ‘Generations of Care. Relationships for Life,’ reflects the philosophy that has guided the business since its inception. It is a legacy established by Reg Neale and one that continues to shape the organisation today.

As Paradise Motors celebrates this significant milestone, the family looks forward to continuing to serve South Australians for generations to come.

Release from Paradise Motors.