Tercier Motors celebrating 65 years of business

Tercier Motors is celebrating 65 years on Saturday, June 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to burgers, hot dogs, and a meet and greet with Ed Tercier and the Tercier Motors staff being hosted in the parking lot of Tercier Motors. 

Founded in 1958, Tercier Motors has a long history leading up to 65 years later in 2023, going back even further to when Ed Tercier was in business with his father Rene running a service station that started in 1953. 

Ed, at 16 years of age, worked side by side with his father, operating the most modern service station of its time, in Northeastern Alberta —  Rene’s Esso Service. In 1945, Rene Tercier had an International Harvester dealership in Bonnyville.

Ed started selling Volkswagon, Studebaker and International trucks in 1955 at the service station until it was sold in 1958. 

Tercier moved his Volkswagon business to a new building and ran it under the name of what’s known as Tercier Motors Ltd.

In 1963, the business was awarded the General Motors franchise for Bonnyville. From there, Tercier Motors continued to grow and expand into recreational divisions such as travel trailers, snowmobiles, boats, and Evinrude outboards. 

At 41, in 1978, Tercier Motors had outgrown its location on Main Street Bonnyville. A new 17,000 sq. ft. building was built at 6413 – 50 Avenue. 

In 2004, the business went under more reimaging and expansion to reach 20,000 sq. ft. By this time, Ed’s son Norman Tercier, his daughters Debbie and Anita, and 4th generation grandson Darcy Tercier were all in the picture. Tercier Motors had around 40 employees at this time. 

From selling 50 cars & trucks in 1963 to 300 by 1979, Tercier’s space had eight auto bays (versus three), three marine bays, plus a back-in boat test tank. 

Throughout the years, the dealership’s building has been renovated and rebuilt to meet GM’s new designs and to keep up with today’s and the future business’s needs. 

With Tercier Motors still growing it has come far from 1958 being four generations strong. 

Tercier Motors has donated and supported thousands of local events, gala’s, all kinds of sports teams, and foundations throughout the years. Rodeos, fishing tournaments, golf tournaments, hospital foundations and gala’s, snowmobile rallies, 4H Clubs, many hockey and figure skating teams including our local Junior A hockey team, Haying in the ’30s, cancer foundations, many school fundraisers and functions. 

Ed and his wife Lorraine have had the experience of travelling the world with many of the franchises. Tercier has had the great privilege of achieving many awards and trips with General Motors. 

• Recently won the 2021 Presidents Club and travelling to Hawaii in September 2022. 
• Winning the 2017 Presidents Club – Grand Cayman 
• Winning the 2006 Mediterranean Challenge – Mediterranean Cruise 
• Winning the 2004 Dealer Incentive to Colorado – Bachelor Gulch 
• Achieving General Motors of Canada Business Excellence Awards in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Winning Rule the Road – Passport to Paradise 1995 
• 2 or 3 Triple Crown Awards – (not sure when) 
• Winning 70-Day Siege, Phase of our Car Wars 1983 – Epcot, Florida 
• Winning Springboard to Success 1979 – San Francisco 
• Winning Spring Fever 1978 – Lake Tahoe 
• Winning On The Move 1976 – Nassau Cruise 
• Winning Spring Ahead 1974 and Winning Challenge of Champions 1971 – Hawaii 

Be a part of the 65th anniversary on Saturday with a barbeque and look back on their unique history.