Australian-first automall to be built in Brisbane

An Australian-first car mall the size of 70 rugby league fields is expected to revolutionise the South East Queensland automotive market when it's completed in two years.

Car dealerships will line a 2.5-kilometre test track designed by racing champion Mark Skaife, with a skid pad and off-road 4WD experience also in the latest design.

The car mall is being constructed on land owned by Brisbane Airport, one kilometre from the international terminal, and has the backing of two of the biggest car sellers in the state.

"This will be the mothership of car retailing in Brisbane," John Tormey of Brisbane Airport said.

"Nothing like this has been done in Australia before."

Work is underway on the project, with the facility expected to be operational by 2020.

"You are going to be able to get about 80 percent of every single vehicle for sale from the automall, so if you're unsure on what you want to buy you can see them all in one loctation, "said Martin Ward, whose company AP Eagers has signed on.

"We are so spread out right now, and places like Fortitude Valley are difficult to find a park for buyers.

"The location is the real seller for us - one minute you can head north or south by jumping on a motorway or in the tunnel."

The owners are considering opening the test track for car lovers on weekends, with driver training safety courses and car shows also in the mix.