Turners extends car network

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Greg Hedgepeth, Turners Cars’ chief executive officer, and city councillor Tim Skinner at the new Nelson dealership  

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The Nelson facility has taken just over two years to develop  

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The official opening of the Nelson dealership took place on September 14  

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Greg Hedgepeth joins Steve Chadwick, Mayor of Rotorua, to cut the ribbon at the new Rotorua branch  

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The new site in Rotorua has expanded Turners Cars’ network to 20 sites  

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Steve Chadwick during the powhiri at the Rotorua dealership on September 21  

Turners Cars has expanded its network with two new dealerships now doing business.

There was an official opening for the Nelson facility on September 14 and a similar event took place for the new premises in Rotorua on September 21. 

Greg Hedgepeth, chief executive officer, says: “We’ve learnt a lot about what works for us on a site and I’m pleased to say the huge effort that’s gone into the construction at both sites has delivered outstanding looking branches, which I have no doubt will serve us and our customers well in coming years.”

Turners has expanded its car network from 10 branches in 2015 to the 20 it now has, and there are plans under way for a new branch in Timaru in 2023 with more to come in the near future.

Mark Bower, general manager of Turners Cars North, comments that “the Rotorua team has worked hard over the past year to deliver a great service to our customers under some challenging circumstances while the construction work went on”. 

He adds: “Now the site is finished and looking great we’re looking forward to seeing what a great team can do without any shackles.”   

The team in Rotorua worked out of temporary buildings while their new facility was constructed and the yard was brought up to specification.  

Local representatives for Ngāti Whakaue performed a blessing and powhiri on-site and Steve Chadwick, Mayor of Rotorua, attended to speak and cut the ribbon with Hedgepeth to officially open the branch. Chadwick has welcomed Turners and says it is the first business to open in the city since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.   

The Nelson branch has taken just over two years to develop. Brad Lucas, general manager of Turners Cars South, says: “The team that has been assembled have all come from the local region and have adopted the Turners culture extremely well.  

“It’s early days, but from what I’m seeing I’m confident that this team will excel over the next year.”

The Nelson branch opening was supported by Ngāti Koata with city councillor Tim Skinner officiating. He welcomed Turners to the region and shared memories of buying his first car at Turners with his father.