Feature
Issue No. 16 - April/May 2004
Quiet Giant
Distributing British Leyland trucks and an American truck called the Diamond T, the firm in 1935 acquired the American Case tractor distributorship from the South Australian Farmers’ Union. That was a first diversifying step for what has become one of South Australia’s most dynamic business groups. Today run by Sidney Crawford’s descendants – the brothers Michael, Paul and David Crawford – the CMV group of companies is the giant behind the CMI brand dealerships and extensive agro—business operations here, and in Victoria.
1963 was to be an important year; CMV became the SA distributor for Toyota commercial vehicles. During the 25 years to 1988 when Toyota resumed distribution, CMV handled some 40,000 new vehicles, selling Toyota commercial vehicles at Flinders Street, Adelaide (CMI Toyota) and Hino Trucks at Regency Park (now CMI Hino).
In 1968 and 1969 the Company became SA distributor for Kenworth and Volvo trucks.
By then deeply experienced with franchises, holding Toyota, Dodge, Volvo and Kenworth, CMV was able to provide the widest range of commercial vehicles to the local market. Japan’s emergence as a major vehicle supplier in the 1970s and 80s saw Mitsubishi replace Dodge and the rise of Hino trucks. In 1975 a new heavy—duty truck sales and service centre in the new Regency Park Industrial Estate was a major CMV investment.
In 1980 CMV started exploring its potential to diversify into agricultural ventures. In 1981 it formed a partnership (Olney Syndicate) to grow 200 hectares of almonds on a property at Lindsay Point in north—western Victoria, near Renmark. A property at Robinvale in Victoria was developed into a 130 hectare pistachio tree orchard from 1984.
In 1988 CMV took over the factory—run Volvo truck dealership at Campbellfield in northern Melbourne. This business now operates as CMV Truck & Bus Pty Ltd. An outlet at Clayton in southeast Melbourne was acquired in 1993 from Volvo Australia. In 198...
