Car Nation Canada History: Building Ontario Dealerships Since 1990
Introduction
Some dealer groups grow by simply adding rooftops. Our story is different: we grew by building places people actually want to buy from—and by stepping into opportunities where a dealership needed leadership, investment, and a stronger customer experience.
Car Nation Direct’s roots go back to 1990, when we began in the used-car world in the Hamilton area as Betterway Auto Sales and Leasing. From there, our internal timeline shows an expansion into OEM franchises, modern facilities, and stronger retail operations in communities across Hamilton, Mississauga, Georgetown, Burlington, and Niagara—often leaving behind stores that were stronger than when we arrived.
Today, even though we don’t own every dealership from earlier chapters, we’re proud of what we built: legacy dealerships that continue serving their communities with better systems, better buildings, and better teams.
Key Takeaways
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Our operating history stretches back to 1990, beginning in used vehicles and expanding into multiple franchise and retail operations.
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We’ve repeatedly proven we can build standalone facilities, scale operations, and modernise the customer experience.
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Our pattern: step into dealerships that need reinvestment and leave them higher-performing and more resilient.
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Our Burlington-based Car Nation Direct operation is part of a wider Southwestern Ontario story rooted in Hamilton entrepreneurship.
From Betterway to the first franchise wins (1990–1999)
1990: The foundation—used cars, real customers, real problems to solve
Our story begins with Betterway Auto Sales and Leasing—learning what drivers actually care about: reliability, value, and payments that fit real life (especially for customers rebuilding credit or navigating financing for the first time).
That early experience still influences how Car Nation Direct operates today: practical vehicle selection, transparency, and a finance-first mindset that treats approval as a plan—not a sales pitch. (Financing options available O.A.C. Conditions may apply.)
Late 1990s: Entering the franchise world
By the late 1990s, our internal history reflects a shift into franchise retail—an important move that shaped everything that came next: purpose-built stores, improved systems, and a more consistent customer experience.
Building Kia momentum across the GTA West and Halton (2000s)
Georgetown Kia: early mover advantage + long-term scale
If you want a public snapshot of how this “build it properly” approach looks in real life, Georgetown Kia’s own “Our Story” is a strong reference point. It describes opening in the early 2000s, adding partners over time, and later moving into a brand-new facility—followed by a leadership transition as the founder moved toward retirement.
See: Georgetown Kia – Our Story.
Why this matters in the broader Car Nation Canada history: it’s not just “we owned stores.” It’s proof of a long-term pattern—scale operations until the footprint, facility, and systems need to level up.
A clear Burlington milestone: Unique Chrysler (January 2005)
Unique Chrysler: a dated acquisition milestone that anchors the story
Burlington is a key part of our long-term footprint, and one of the cleanest public “date anchors” comes straight from Unique Chrysler’s own site:
Unique Chrysler’s “About” page states the dealership was purchased by Car Nation Canada in January 2005. Here’s the source: Unique Chrysler – About Us.
That matters because it supports a simple truth: our presence in Burlington and the GTA West wasn’t built overnight—it’s been built over decades.
Facility-first thinking: what the Hamilton market shows (1999–2007)
Even when a store isn’t part of our current ownership story, the market trend still reinforces what we’ve believed for a long time: customers trust dealerships that invest in long-term infrastructure.
A good example is Kia of Hamilton’s public “About” timeline, which notes the franchise began downtown in 1999 and that a standalone facility was built in 2007 on Upper James—an illustration of the broader shift toward purpose-built operations under Car Nation Canada's ownership period. Source: Kia of Hamilton – About.
Niagara Falls: building “destination dealership” experiences (late 2000s–2010)
Niagara is where the story gets especially visual: not just vehicle sales, but multi-touchpoint automotive retail experiences.
One of the clearest public traces is a January 2010 AutoValue post describing AutoValue Pre-Owned as formerly Autoland Superstore, and stating AutoValue was “a proud member of Car Nation Canada.” Source: AutoValue (Jan 2010 archive post).
That single post supports three themes you’ll see again and again in Car Nation Canada's history:
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brands evolve (Autoland → AutoValue),
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retail becomes an experience (not just inventory),
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and scale creates selection and buying power.
St. Catharines Nissan: legacy you can still see
Our internal timeline includes the Collins Nissan chapter (now St. Catharines Nissan). Publicly, the transition remains visible in a few places:
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A trade-publication report notes that Collins Nissan in St. Catharines was acquired from Car Nation Canada and renamed St. Catharines Nissan in 2018. Source: Automotive Buy Sell Report – Collins Nissan transaction.
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The older “Collins” name still appears in their YouTube channel branding: CollinsNissanCanada on YouTube.
That’s what real dealership legacy looks like: even after ownership changes, the footprint of what was built remains part of the community’s retail “memory.”
The through-line in Car Nation Canada's history
Across every decade, the pattern stays consistent:
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Invest in facilities and customer experience. Georgetown Kia’s public story shows long-term growth, a modern facility build, and structured leadership evolution—not a quick flip.
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Build teams and systems that outlast ownership. Strong operations continue to thrive—even when the next chapter is led by new ownership.
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Stay grounded in community. In Southwestern Ontario, trust is earned locally—one interaction, one purchase, one service visit at a time.
What this means for Car Nation Direct customers today (Burlington, Halton, Hamilton)
For drivers in Burlington, Hamilton, Waterdown, Oakville, Milton, and across Halton Region, this history isn’t trivia—it’s reassurance.
When you’re buying used—especially if you’re:
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rebuilding credit after a tough stretch,
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new to Canada and learning how auto financing works,
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or simply trying to keep payments reasonable while still getting a safe, late-model vehicle,
…you want more than a listing and a handshake. You want a dealership with proven processes, lender relationships, and a track record of doing things the right way. (Financing options available O.A.C. Conditions may apply.)
And in Burlington specifically, Car Nation Canada’s own update announced that as of November 1, 2021, Car Nation Canada Direct moved to 880 Walkers Line, positioning the store around convenience and an online-first buying experience. Source: Car Nation Canada – Move announcement.
Conclusion: a 35+ year Ontario dealership story—built, not bought
From Betterway’s early days through franchise growth, facility builds, acquisitions, and brand transformations, the Car Nation Canada history tells a simple story:
We know how to build dealerships that last. And even when we move on from ownership, we aim to leave behind stronger operations that continue serving their communities better than before.
If you’re shopping for a reliable used vehicle in Burlington—or you’re working through a credit rebuild—start with a conversation and a plan. Apply online, value your trade, or book a test drive with Car Nation Direct today. (Financing O.A.C. Conditions may apply.)
FAQ
How long has Car Nation Direct been in the auto business?
Our internal history dates back to 1990, beginning with used vehicle retail in the Hamilton market before expanding into broader dealership and retail operations.
Do you still own every dealership mentioned in your history?
No. Some stores were owned during earlier chapters. The point is the legacy: we helped build stronger operations that continue serving their communities today.
Did Car Nation Direct move locations in Burlington?
Yes—Car Nation Canada announced that as of November 1, 2021, Car Nation Canada Direct moved to 880 Walkers Line in Burlington.
What’s one public example of your dealership-building approach?
Georgetown Kia’s public “Our Story” describes early-2000s roots, long-term growth, a new purpose-built facility, and later, a leadership transition.
Do you offer financing for customers rebuilding credit?
Yes—financing solutions are available for many credit situations. (On Approved Credit. Conditions may apply.)
With over four decades in the automotive industry, Dealer Principal Rick Paletta is a trusted name across the Hamilton–Burlington region. Born and raised locally, Rick is respected for his integrity, work ethic, and people-first leadership—and he still loves this business because it’s about helping neighbours, building relationships, and matching people with vehicles they’re excited to drive. His commitment to the community shows up in consistent giving, including long-running support of McMaster Children’s Hospital through Car Nation Cares