Winger and Barr join BMW

The North Island’s Winger Motor Group and Mathew Barr in Christchurch are set to sell BMWs and Minis. BMW Group New Zealand has announced the new partnerships, which will start in December this year. The changes come after it was decided not to renew the dealer franchise agreement with Colonial Motor Company subsidiary Jeff Gray Ltd. Colonial had the BMW and Mini franchises in Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerston North and Hastings, after buying Jeff Gray BMW in 2014. It is not known why the dealer franchise agreement was not renewed but BMW Group is thankful to Jeff Gray Ltd for its contribution. Colonial Motor Company posted a record profit of $19.2 million for the 2016 financial year, with its main brands, Ford and Mazda, both increasing market share. Winger Motor Group is set to take on the Hastings, Manawatu and Wellington area for BMW and Mini. The company is widely known for its established success in the industry in these three areas, BMW Group NZ managing director Florian Renndorfer says. “The Winger Motor Group has desired the opportunity to have a premium German manufacturer as part of its brand portfolio,” Renndorfer says. “They are very much looking forward to the opportunities ahead with BMW and MINI in these regions, and we feel they are a great fit.” Mathew Barr – currently owner and Dealer Principal for Christchurch Mitsubishi – has been appointed to take over BMW and Mini in Christchurch. “Mathew is a highly motivated local investor with vast dealership and business experience centred around a strong focus on customer satisfaction,” Renndorfer says. “We are very much looking forward to working together.”