Oakwood Group snares Isuzu division

South Island automotive dealer Oakwood Motor Group is expanding its operations after agreeing to purchase the Isuzu Truck sales division of Smallbone Mid and South Canterbury.

The truck division will also continue its partnership with ACL Smallbone service and parts in both regions.

Oakwood, which runs the Blackwells and Cooke Howlison dealerships, says it will take ownership of the business from August 10 and the deal is part of its plan for developing its Isuzu truck business in the South Island.

“We are very pleased with the acquisition of the Timaru and Ashburton dealerships, which complement our existing Isuzu Master Dealerships in Christchurch and Dunedin,” says John Marsh, pictured, group managing director. 

“The purchase is also a show of confidence in the Mid and South Canterbury economies and the exciting future for Isuzu Trucks, which has been New Zealand’s number-one selling truck for 20 consecutive years.”

The acquisition takes Oakwood’s holdings to 13 car and truck dealerships and 340 staff across the South Island, with the intention of continuing to operate from the existing sites in Ashburton and Timaru.

Craig Carr, chairman of Smallbone, says the board and shareholders believe the deal will benefit customers as they will gain access to a larger team of sales experts and stock throughout the region.

“The agreement with Oakwood Group will ensure that the existing Isuzu Truck customers from Mid and South Canterbury will continue to receive best-in-class sales support from the wide network of staff available and the world-class service and parts facilities ACL Smallbone has created in both Ashburton and Timaru,” adds Carr.

Scania parts and service will continue to be supplied by ACL Smallbone and Cooke Howlison in their respective regions.