Steve Prangnell to retire
Steve Prangnell, Toyota New Zealand’s vice-president of sales and operations, is retiring at the end of 2023.
His 40-year career with the company has seen him navigate significant industry change over the past four decades.
It started with his first role on the floor of Toyota’s factory in Hornby, Christchurch, in 1983, before shifting to the corporate headquarters in Wellington and then Palmerston North.
Prangnell’s career has spanned several business lines. These have included parts and assembly, new and used-vehicle sales, franchise development, distribution and logistics.
He has held numerous leadership positions in the company and was closely involved in several transformative projects for Toyota NZ. These have included it becoming a full-service car distributor and its shift from a dealership to an agency model – the Drive Happy Project.
Prangnell, pictured, attributes his longevity with the company to building reciprocal trust and respect through actions, not words. He says he’s leaving it at the best possible time as it looks ahead to its future as a mobility company and the shift to a low-carbon future.
“The thing that has kept me with Toyota is that I love the brand, I love it so much,” enthuses Prangnell. “I couldn’t envisage having worked for any other car company.
“But the time is right. Toyota has a huge opportunity as New Zealand’s leading mobility provider with the best customer experience, and there’s a new energy and focus that makes it feel like this is the best time to hand over the reins.
“I’ve given the best 40 years of my life to Toyota and it’s given me the best 40 years of my life back. Forty years ago, my manager at the Hornby factory identified a little glimmer of talent and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity.”
Neeraj Lala, chief executive officer of Toyota NZ, says: “Steve’s time with Toyota NZ coincides with the company becoming a market leader in 1988. He has been a critical figure in maintaining that market leadership.
“The thing for me that best defines Steve’s 40 years at Toyota is his focus on developing personal relationships. Much of Toyota’s success comes from the fact we’re embedded in the communities we serve.
“Steve has been integral to that, ensuring Toyota delivers the best customer experience it possibly can. He has been invaluable. I’ll sincerely miss him on a personal and a professional level.”
Prangnell has agreed to stay on in an interim advisory role to support Toyota through the transition of his role and the development of its franchises.
Beyond that, he has expressed a desire to have an active retirement and will pursue several personal projects, including possibly setting up a business to create employment for people with disabilities.
Prangnell says the favourite vehicle he has owned is the 1993 MkIV RZR Toyota Supra that he bought in the 1990s as a Signature Class import.
