Centennial Auto Group 3.43

The year was 1979 when brotherhood developed into a strong business relationship between Ira and Ezra Kember. That year, the Kember brothers established what would grow to be a combination of several dealerships, collision repair shops and ATV/motorcycle dealers.

It all started with the purchase of a Volkswagen dealership in Summerside. Ira had been operating a small used car dealership and auto body repair shop in western PEI. With the purchase of the dealership, Ezra joined the company as well.

In 1982, the brothers were awarded the Datsun (Nissan) dealership, thus retiring Volkswagen. In 1983, the expansion that led to the beginning of the Centennial Group of Companies commenced.

Ezra was awarded the Rent-A-Wreck (Practi-Car) franchise for Summerside which required a new facility to be constructed on the adjacent property. This was a successful venture which led to purchasing property in Charlottetown for a second collision center. Ira also founded Granville Auto Center as an off-site repair facility in 1998. This included a Hyundai Service agreement.

Things really began to grow in 1999 with the resignation of the Nissan dealership and the arrival of Honda. It wasn’t long before a major expansion took place and the installation of the Honda Facility program. Summerside now had the first completed Honda image store in Atlantic Canada.

Development continued throughout the 2000s. Centennial had also moved into motorcycle, ATV and recreational sales and service. In 2005, Centennial Auto-Sport and Tire was founded. What began with Suzuki, Arctic Cat and some other small lines eventually assisted the brothers in obtaining the Honda Power Sports and Equipment dealership for Summerside and Charlottetown.

Additional achievements include:

2008 – Awarded CARSTAR franchise for Summerside and Charlottetown.
2008 – Awarded Practi-Car franchise for Charlottetown.
2012 – Expanded Charlottetown facility, doubling its capacity.
2013 – Expanded Summerside facility, doubling its capacity.
2013 – Awarded Bullet Liner dealership for the Summerside area.
2015 – Gained approval to open brand-new Nissan store in Summerside, to open in 2017.

A great deal can change when you’ve been in business for over 35 years. One thing that has always held true is that the groundwork of this company is built on strong family values. Ira and Ezra’s children are now grown and can be found exhibiting the same work ethic as their parents do. Most are a visible part of the day to day workings of the company and the rest have pursued professional careers in various industries.

Ira’s Family:

Married to Betty Kember, and together having three children.

Tara Broome – Accountant/Payroll at Centennial Honda/Centennial Auto-Sport and Tire.

Tim Kember – General Manager of Centennial Auto-Sport and Tire.

Tyler Kember – General Manager of Centennial Honda.

Ezra’s Family:

Married to Lois Kember, and together having six children.

David Kember – General Manager of CARSTAR, Charlottetown.

Rob Kember – General Manager of CARSTAR, Summerside.

Scott Kember – Engineer for ESSO in Ontario.

Allan Kember – Medical Student, University of Dalhousie.

Nathan Kember – President of Paul David Systems Restoration Specialists.

Sarah Kember – In the summer months, works at CARSTAR in Summerside. Sarah is also working on finishing her last year of University to become a registered nurse.