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Obituary: Dot Townshend

A founding shareholder of Bayswater Vehicle Group whose involvement in the car industry goes back 65 years. PLUS – gallery 
Posted on 16 July, 2021
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Dot was involved in the Hawke’s Bay motor-vehicle industry for 65 years  
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Dot with her son, Rob Townshend, left, and Mel Chan, the remaining shareholders of Bayswater Vehicle Group  
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Dot Townshend with Michael Giltrap, chairman of the Giltrap Group  
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Dot poses with the Napier Boys’ High School First XV  

Tributes have been paid to a much-loved identity in the Hawke’s Bay automotive industry, who was a founding shareholder of Bayswater Vehicle Group.

Dot Townshend died on July 13, aged 90, after a short battle with cancer.

Wife of the late Charlie Townshend, Dot founded Bayswater Vehicles Ltd with her son Robert (Rob) 31 years ago after the passing of her husband. 

Since then, the Bayswater Vehicle Group has grown from a small corner site in Napier with a single vehicle brand to now having seven dealerships representing nine brands in Hawke’s Bay and, more recently, Manawatu. 

Before her death, Dot remained actively involved in the business. She also held extensive property interests and supported local philanthropic causes especially relating to the arts and youth. 

Dot’s involvement in the Hawke’s Bay motor-vehicle industry began 65 years ago when she and Charlie – along with Charlie’s brother George – purchased JE Peach & Co. 

The business was renamed Townshend Motors and represented David Brown tractors, Hillman, Chrysler and Commer Trucks, as well as operating a Europa fuel station. 

In the early days, the business operated in central Napier and boasted a modern facility with a second-floor workshop, which was innovative for the time. In later years, as Townshend Motors expanded, the company was most notably associated with the Mitsubishi brand.

Following Charlie’s death in 1997, Townshend Motors passed to new ownership. 

Dot and Rob invested their remaining equity into founding Bayswater Vehicle Group, which over 31 years has become a dominant force in Hawke’s Bay and a nationally recognised automotive group. 

Along the way, Bayswater has been awarded many industry accolades, including Hyundai’s dealer of the year for the Asia-Pacific region in 2016. 

Family, friends and former colleagues say Dot will be fondly remembered for her strong mind for business, her vision, emotional intelligence, extraordinary ability to close a deal, and also for her kindness and friendship to many.