Dealership reaches end of era

Sue Johnstone became a dealer principal 30 years ago after her husband, Grant, passed away but is now calling time on her career in the automotive industry.

She has led Grant Johnstone Motors in Rotorua since tragedy struck in 1996, about a year and a half after the couple took on the business.

Grant was already involved in the automotive industry while Sue had worked as a nurse when they moved with their three children from Cambridge to Rotorua to take over a Nissan franchise in 1995, reports the NZ Herald.

She initially took care of the accounts and promotions for the business before Grant died unexpectedly from a heart attack in September 1996, aged 44.

Sue, pictured above, says she then stepped up into the dealer principal role because she “couldn’t bear the thought of losing the business at the same time” and the company retained her late husband’s name.

The dealership on Fairy Springs Road grew over the years and in 2003 gained the area’s Suzuki franchise.

It parted ways with Nissan in 2017 but later added KGM and LDV to its stable of new-vehicle brands.

After almost 32 years at the site, Sue has sold the Suzuki franchise and her last day will be on September 30, reports the Herald. 

The business is expected to close for refurbishments and reopen under new ownership on November 1.

Two of the other eight people who work at the dealership plan to retire when the business changes hands, according to the Herald.

Sue says she has enjoyed “looking after the Rotorua people” over the past decades but notes being a woman in a male-dominated industry was still a challenge.

She adds she is not retiring but has yet to decide her next step, although it will include more time with family and pursuing her hobbies.