Our Story
History of R.P. Motors
On April 1, 1970, Roberto and Vilma Piovesan took their first steps into what would become a decades-long legacy in establishing R.P. Motors at the corner of Duncans Road and Hoppers Lane in Werribee South, Victoria. At the time, the business was a small, mechanical repair shop that serviced cars, trucks, and tractors for the local farming community, while also operating as a Caltex fuel outlet. This hands-on approach set the tone for everything that would follow.
As the agricultural sector in the region evolved and customers’ needs grew more specialised, R.P. Motors gradually transitioned from general mechanical repairs to a dedicated focus on agricultural machinery. The business began selling and servicing Fiat Tractors, a strong European brand that was well-suited to the needs of local farmers.
In August 1978, R.P. Motors Pty. Ltd. was incorporated as a private company, and in the same year, was formally designated as an authorised Fiat Tractor dealership. This partnership linked the business to a trusted global agricultural brand - a relationship that would later evolve into our long-standing association with New Holland and CNH.
Robert Piovesan Jnr joined the company as an apprentice service technician in 1988. Robert developed his skills and knowledge while building a strong understanding of customer needs in the field. His involvement ensured continuity in the family’s direct engagement with day-to-day operations and deepened R.P. Motors’ commitment to hands-on expertise.
As the business grew, the need for expanded facilities became clear. In 1991, R.P. Motors undertook significant developments to the original premises, extending the original workshop, constructing a dedicated and larger parts store, and adding a new sales and administrative office. These upgrades allowed the business to stock a greater range of spare parts, and accommodate a steadily increasing workload in the workshop.
In 1995, following Fiatagri’s 1991 acquisition of Ford New Holland, R.P. Motors expanded its product offering to include both Fiatagri and Ford tractors. Later on, Fiatagri and Ford New Holland merged under the single brand name of New Holland.
In 1997, Roberto and Vilma’s daughter, Melissa, joined the administrative side of the business, bringing with her a strong organisational focus and ensuring the office operations remained as professional and efficient as the workshop. In 2003, Robert’s wife, Daphne, also became part of the team, contributing to administrative operations alongside Melissa and Vilma. Together, Melissa and Daphne have continued to play an integral role in the smooth running of the administrative side of the business to this day.
In 2008, R.P. Motors took another significant step forward with the completion of purpose-built sales and administration offices, a modern conference room, and a new retail showroom for parts and accessories. These facilities improved the customer experience, created a more professional environment for sales and consultations, and allowed the company to present an expanded range of genuine CNH parts and complementary equipment.
By 2022, the company was ready to take on its most ambitious project yet. R.P. Motors unveiled a 2,000-square-metre service and administration facility extension, reflecting both the scale of its operations and its ongoing investment in supporting local customers and the New Holland brand. The new service centre is equipped with two five-tonne gantry cranes to assist with major repairs, 19 dedicated service bays to accommodate multiple large-scale jobs simultaneously, and a fully dedicated and digitalised service office to streamline scheduling and reporting. The expansion also included a modern training room for staff development and a 400-square-metre mezzanine level for efficient storage.
In 2025, R.P. Motors reached another milestone when it was appointed as an authorised Case IH dealer. This appointment has brought a second major CNH agricultural brand into the business, allowing R.P. Motors to represent both Case IH and New Holland in our local area. With this dual-brand capability, we can offer an even greater level of choice and flexibility to customers.
Today, more than 55 years since its founding, R.P. Motors remains a proud family-owned and operated business. The Piovesan family is actively involved in operations, ensuring that quality, personal service, and customer trust remain at the heart of the business.
While technology, equipment, and farming practices have changed dramatically over the decades, the company’s dedication to supporting the local farming community remains as strong as ever. The Piovesan family prioritises investment in R.P. Motors, supporting both Case IH and New Holland brands and strengthening its position as a strong, trusted regional dealership committed to long-term sustainability and customer success.
