Dealership parts ways with marque

Southern Motor Group has parted ways with Honda after working with the marque in Dunedin for 29 years.

Honda New Zealand has taken over ownership of the carmaker’s dealership in Andersons Bay Road as part of its transition to an agency network from May 1.

Southern Motor Group will continue to offer seven other brands – Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Subaru, Peugeot, Great Wall and Haval – from its site directly across the road.

Ken Cummings, the group’s founder, says the split will not lead to any redundancies, with all existing Honda staff either staying with the group or joining Honda NZ.

The changes also see Craig Brook, who was dealer principal at Southern Honda, take the same position at Southern Motor Group Dunedin.

His move comes as Cummings, who will continue as managing director, steps back from the business to spend more time with his family, reports the Otago Daily Times.