Toyota Making Major Dealer Structure Change?
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 2 MARCH 2017 Confidence for the road ahead Toyota making major dealer structure change? oyota New Zealand is continuing ing new vehicle stock, and essentially kets do have ‘no haggle’ pricing struc- to deny it has begun the process being the transacting registered trader. tures such as the Lexus Plus programme, Tto shift to a Honda-style fixed- Otherwise forcing dealers to stick to a which is available through the authorised price model for its new car sales. fixed price and not allowing clients to Lexus USA dealer network. AutoTalk has been approached by shop between them could be seen as “We acknowledge the role of pric- multiple sources since running a story anticompetitive. ing in the buying process, but it’s one of online in late February, suggesting big Dilks would not be drawn on where in many topics we are working on as part changes were coming to how Toyota the process the company is, or if dealers of the ultimate customer experience.” prices and retails vehicles. have been informed. But a deal- Continued on page 4 At the time Toyota New er we spoke to expected more Zealand spokesperson information from Toyota Morgan Dilks indicated about its plans shortly. a shift to fixed pricing “We have been work- Fred Lewis was not possible under ing with dealers for over a their current dealer ar- decade on opportunities opens up rangements. He now to improve the customer acknowledges they are experience,” Dilks says. working on the issue. “Any changes to how nterprise Motor “As part of the work we are doing on Toyota New Zealand and our dealer net- Group founder improving the customer experience we work operates will be done together.” EFred Lewis was are looking at how price is structured,” “We are always looking at ways to at the forefront of Dilks says. improve our customers’ experience with the new wave when “If a set price is pursued we would the brand,” Dilks notes. “We know that Japanese imports need to look at a change to the dealer there are some parts of the current buy- started coming into network structure to allow for this to be ing process that could be improved.” New Zealand back in possible.” Last month Dilks said the company the 1980s. Autotalk understands that change keeps a watching brief on other global But there’s much more to Lewis’ will include Toyota New Zealand own- distributors, and says some other mar- career than just imports, with more than 50 years spent working in the INSIDE industry he loves. Mazda boss to retire 3 Now, he opens up to Autotalk in New Mercedes dealership recruits 5 an exclusive interview. Turn to p8 Opportunities for Holden 6 for more. MTA turns 100 14 3 14 The market leader for over a decade. Shift to the Autohub Team and experience the Autohub difference. GLOBAL VEHICLE LOGISTICS NZ · JAPAN · AUSTRALIA · UK · EUROPE | www.autohub.co FOUNDATION SPONSORS AutoTalk acknowledges the support of our foundation sponsors: WEEKLY PASSENGER & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AUCTIONS Vehicle Inspection NZ 2 | AUTOTALK MARCH 2017 | www.autotalk.co.nz NEWSTALK Mazda boss will shed a tear AutoTalk Magazine and autotalk.co.nz are published by Auto Media Group 8/152 Quay Street, Limited. at the end of 25-year run P.O. Box 10 50 10, Auckland City, 1030. Ph. 09 309 2444. azda New Zealand and is proud of the family He came to Mazda New GROUP EDITOR managing director environment within the New Zealand in a marketing role AUTO TRADE TITLES Scott Morgan Andrew Clearwater Zealand operation. after a 15-year stint with M 021 240 2402 is set to retire from the com- “I’ve had 60- Ford. Initially reluctant to [email protected] pany after 25 years, ten of odd trips to Hi- step away from the Ford them as managing director. roshima and I’ll structure. Clearwater was He admitted he would miss the contact convinced by his prede- MANAGING EDITOR likely shed a tear on his there. They’re cessor Peter Aitken (now Richard Edwards 021 556 655 departure when he spoke fantastic people an Autotalk columnist) to [email protected] to Autotalk with incom- to deal with. I’ll work with him. ing managing director, and miss it. Andrew His first mission was current financial controller, “I’ll really miss Clearwater to get used to being in a PUBLISHER David Hodge. the staff because we’re like a company where, instead of Vern Whitehead Clearwater has built a family. Extended family. You sole franchise dealers push- 021 831 153 robust and close relationship know, I’ll probably shed a tear ing good volume, he had to [email protected] with his Japanese bosses or two when I leave.” Continued on page 4 CHIEF REPORTER Robert Barry 022 0180 998 Holden boss predicts big changes for industry [email protected] he motoring industry uct. That’s a very different He acknowledges some SALES MANAGER is on the verge of definition of the traditional changes to the industry – Dale Stevenson Tmassive change, with vehicle manufacturer.” like the end of Australian 021 446 214 discussions about what the But he believes the manufacturing – are sad [email protected] future holds going on at the motoring public will still but says they also provide highest levels. want to be associated with opportunities for the future. OPERATIONS One industry leader Holden, no matter what the “The thing about chang- MANAGER who believes technology future holds. ing the manufacturing Deborah Baxter - particularly autonomous “The footprint with what we are 027 530 5016 cars and ridesharing - will brand still seeing in Australia clos- [email protected] play a big part in future de- has an ing down, it has happened velopments is General Mo- emotional probably at the right time SUBSCRIPTION tors Holden New Zealand attachment [to embrace those chang- SPECIALIST managing director Kristian to it, whether es]. John Stephens 027 530 5023 Aquilina. it’s through Kristian Aquilina “I have worked with a lot “When it comes to traditional of those people. It’s incred- [email protected] autonomous vehicles, they methods or non-traditional ibly sad but I’m pleased to Auto Media Group Limited makes will change consumer be- ones.” say there’s a hell of a lot of every endeavour to ensure information haviour,” he told Autotalk in Aquilina’s comments support for those people.” contained in this publication is accurate, an interview about Holden reflect the strategy of Read more about how however we are not liable for any losses or issues resulting from its use. New Zealand’s future. Holden’s parent company Kristian Aquilina thinks Annual subscription: “In the future we are GM, which paid US$500 Holden New Zealand will $84 + gst ($96.60) probably going to be [more] million for a stake and a be affected by the end of Printed by: Alpine Printers. a service provider than strategic alliance in ride- Australian manufacturing in a manufacturer of prod- sharing service Lyft. our story on p6. autotalk.co.nz INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS RECOGNISED BY dieseltalk.co.nz autotalk.com.au evtalk.co.nz carandsuv.co.nz identicar.co.nz AUTOTALK MARCH 2017 | www.autotalk.co.nz | 3 NEWSTALK Mazda boss will shed a tear at the end of 25-year run Continued from page 3 we trust the dealer network?’ perience needs to shift to a financial controller’s position, work with multi-franchise “The dealership model mall-located showroom,client revisions: with he has worn many hats. advertising prooffirms selling small volumes. hasn’t changed in the last 50, a nearby dealership1 2handling 3 4 5 He has spent time as Over time that has2017 changed. 60 years. It’s still fundamen- service. And the brand$0 $0 $25 is set$50 $75 a business development REMINDER: Please check URL, email“We weren’t address that and big closing on datetally a big flash manager and worked in IT, the radar of a dealership, and showroom PLEASE NOTE: that we have prepared human resources and the job: AK12576 size: 1/4 Pageit was almost when format:we were colourand then out this advertisement proof based on our changeover from outsourced understanding of the instructions received. looking for a new dealer they the back is the In approving the advertisement, it is the parts warehousing to a large publication wouldrun date say: ‘Well, whatposition is in it service part of client’s responsibility to check the accuracy in-house facility. Autotalk - Magazine for6 March me?’ the operation. of both the advertisement and the media and He says he’s not really a “Now the phone rings off “When you position nominated. car enthusiast “but I am pas- the hook. Everyone wants to think about it Cancellation of adverts booked sionate about the brand”. have a Mazda franchise now. logically, you with media will incur a media It is a very good time to There’s been a complete should turn cancellation fee of $50. join the brand, with Mazda reversal.” the dealer- well placed in the market’s How did he do it? A shift ship around your contact: Vanita hottest segments, SUVs. The for Mazda from competent- because most David Hodge and Andrew Clearwater CX-9 has been well received but-boring cars to more of the time the customer to begin experimenting with and the hot-selling CX-5 will exciting vehicles helped, but is in the service part of the that – it’s opening a ‘brand be replaced shortly. Clearwater also worked hard business.