Group takes over dealership
Gazley Motors has expanded its reach across the greater Wellington region after taking over a dealership in Masterton.
It took control of what was previously Southey’s Auto World, which traded as Southey Honda and Nissan, last month.
Oliver Gazley, group dealer principal, says: “We’ve been looking for a location in Masterton for 10 years or so and have been in on-and-off talks with Southey’s for a number of years about its site.
“The main reason for us wanting to be in the Wairarapa has always been to find suitable service locations for all the brands we represent in Wellington city that aren’t represented out there.
“Volkswagen, Skoda, Cupra, Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo, none of those brands have any representation there. It’s going to be great for our customers who can still buy cars from us but not have to drive to Wellington every time to get them serviced or repaired.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to step into a functional business and move our operations there. We have changed the name above the door but otherwise we’re carrying on with business as normal while adding a whole lot of service revenue to the back door.”
Roger Southey founded Southey’s Auto World in 1976 as a used-vehicle dealership operating from the corner of Park and Dixon Streets, Masterton.
The company grew and a new showroom and workshop were built before it acquired a Honda franchise in 1986. The Nissan franchise was added in 1993.
The business has recently been run by Southey’s two sons, Brendon and Dion, and employs about 10 people.
Gazley says all staff are staying on except service manager Tony van Helmond, who has decided to retire after more than 20 years at the site.
“We’ve got a couple of technicians who have previously worked for us, and who live in the Wairarapa, coming to work for us again,” adds Gazley.
“They will bring experience on the Volkswagen and Skoda side of things and help us with the extra brands that will now be serviced there.
“We’re also adding one more hoist to the workshop to cater for the extra brands but other than that most things will stay the same.”
The deal reunites Gazley Motors with Nissan, which it previously represented for more than 20 years in central Wellington, but marks a new alliance with Honda.
“Honda has got a very strong following in Masterton and I have been told the retention for its customers in the Wairarapa is around 60 per cent,” says Gazley.
“That’s a massive number of customers coming back and buying again, so we’re excited about that.”
He notes the group opened a site in Kapiti in 2021 and its latest acquisition, along with locations in the capital and Lower Hutt, means it has “cornered every part of the greater Wellington region”.
“We may not have a sales centre for certain brands in Kapiti or the Wairarapa but our customers can now come to the city, buy the car they want but then not have to travel to the city every time they need service or warranty work done.”
