Luxury dealerships hit by protest

Two luxury car dealerships run by the Giltrap Group in Auckland have been left plastered in red paint after a protest claiming its vehicles contribute to inequality and climate change.

A supporter of Restore Passenger Rail targeted the company’s showrooms at 100 and 119 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, which sell Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini and Aston Martin models.

They covered the windows of the buildings with red paint and slogans on the morning of December 6, with the action similar to a protest at a Gazley Motor Group showroom in Wellington in September.

Dane Fisher, Giltrap Group’s chief executive officer, says in a statement the company is disappointed by the vandalism and it works to address climate change by increasing its range of carbon dioxide-neutral vehicles.

“We understand the concerns about climate change and acknowledge that many in Auckland and around the country are doing it tough,” he adds.

“While we respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, we believe that discussions about climate change and inequality can be more productive through dialogue and co-operation rather than acts of vandalism.”

Restore Passenger Rail, which is calling for the restoration of a national passenger rail network and free urban public transport, says luxury cars are symbols of greed and climate change.

Joseph J Fullerton, a spokesperson for the group, adds: “Those buying these obscenely expensive cars, up to $600,000-plus, are getting richer while fuelling more floods, cyclones and droughts. 

“Meanwhile, other people are struggling to pay their rent or dinner. This is not just. Their greed is killing us and this new government is encouraging it.”