An Australian man, whose mother emigrated in the 1960s, has returned to Malta to set up his business of car auctions, a new concept to buy or sell vehicles.

Glen Jones, 46, saw the potential of the business he already had in Australia and relocated to Malta to pursue his dream. Although he admits that the climate and the English language played an important part in his choice, Mr Jones said he had Malta at heart because his mother, who was born in Sliema, had emigrated with her family in 1965.

He had heard a lot about Malta and came here twice on holiday and was flabbergasted by its rich history and “fantastic” architecture, something he says is lacking in Australia. He travelled the world but saw in Malta greater potential for his car auction business.

Together with his partner, Julie Culley, he took the plunge and has relocated to Malta where he began building his business – maltacarauctions.com.mt.

“When we came to Malta, we were looking at what we thought would work in Malta. Although sporadic car auctions took place in the past, there was nothing permanent so we decided to export the Australian business to Malta,” he said.

Since he hails from southern Australia, considered to be the country’s wine capital, Mr Jones also has a wine business, where he sells Australian wines across Australia over the net. He will continue running this business from Malta.

Mr Jones explained that selling or buying a car through an auction is simple and hassle-free. Rather than park their vehicles in the street or place an advert in the paper or on Maltapark, buyers and sellers can register to enter their vehicle for the auction.

The registration includes an independent mechanical report which will be fixed to the car’s window for buyers to read prior to choosing to bid on that car. Malta Car Auctions also offers warranty on cars sold.

Mr Jones, who was recently granted a licence as an auctioneer, said it was the car owner who fixes what is known as the reserve price, which is the price at which the auction will start. The car will not be sold if the reserve price is not met.

Auctions take place every Saturday at the company’s premises in Burmarrad Road in Naxxar. Cars may be viewed on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.