General News
7 August, 2026
Norton Ford departs Stawell
NORTON Ford has closed its Stawell dealership, leaving a prominent Western Highway site vacant and ending its physical presence in the town. The dealership ceased operating last month and the site is now being advertised for sale.
No public announcement of the closure could be found on the company’s website or social media channels.
The Norton Motor Group Horsham and Stawell Facebook page, which had carried regular updates, has not published a post since June 25 and contains no notice advising customers of the closure.
The dealership’s Google listing continued to describe it as open this week, despite the premises no longer operating.
Norton Motor Group’s website now says the family-owned company has dealerships in Horsham and Warrnambool, although other parts of its online presence continue to list the Stawell dealership.
The closure has left unanswered questions about where Stawell customers should now take vehicles for servicing, repairs and warranty work, along with what prompted the decision and whether staff were offered positions elsewhere within the company.
The Stawell Times-News first contacted dealer principal Bill Norton earlier this month seeking information about the closure, customer arrangements and the history of the company’s operations in Stawell. Mr Norton advised he was away in Queensland and would make contact after returning.
The newspaper subsequently made repeated attempts to obtain comment by email, telephone and text message.
Mr Norton said during brief telephone conversations that he was too busy to discuss the closure, while no answers to the newspaper’s written questions had been received before publication.
Norton Motor Group was also invited to provide a message to customers and the wider community following the closure.
The company continues to operate dealerships in Horsham and Warrnambool.
The Stawell Times-News will publish Norton Motor Group’s response if it is received.
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