Company hits major milestone

New Zealand’s largest independent Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda service and repair agent is celebrating its 50th anniversary and eyeing up expansion plans.

Qualitat European Motors started off in 1972 as an Auckland-based workshop operation specialising in the three marques.

In the five decades since first opening its doors, the company has become the country’s largest independent service and repair agent for the brands.

“We’ve grown from humble beginnings into a rather significant operation,” says owner Vagn Dyson, pictured front right. “We now have a 20-strong team utilising seven vehicle hoists as well as front-of-house parts, service and sales support.

“We also recently established a small operation in Christchurch, which we are looking to grow into a more substantial part of the business. It will become a key parts hub, critical to supporting our customers throughout the Mainland.

“Between the Auckland and Christchurch warehouses, Qualitat will offer more than 40,000 different line items, which is an extensive inventory in anyone’s book.”
The company first started with a purely automotive focus, and has always concentrated on Audi, VW and Skoda.

Qualitat has been a member of the Motor Trade Association for the past five decades and has a supplier relationship with the Blackfern Cooperative, which supports the future sustainability of independent motor-industry workshops.

“I’d like to acknowledge our team, and all our suppliers and customers who have been part of our journey,” says Dyson.

“It’s been challenging at times, especially recently with Covid considerations as well as supply issues. But I have every confidence in our future success, especially as we look to build on our operation in Auckland and expand in the Mainland.”