Tell us a bit about your background.
I’m based in Hamilton and have been involved in the motor industry for 51 years. The main area I’ve been working in is vehicle leasing and finance. So it’s coming up to three years with Driveline and prior to that, I was with Honda for 27 years.
I’m also really passionate about things like motor racing, Formula 1, V8 supercars and that kind of stuff.
What do you enjoy about your job?
It’s a unique industry and there’s nothing else like. No two days are the same and everybody’s wants and needs are different to everybody else. It’s very nice working with people from all walks of life.
The cut and thrust of the job is always quite exciting. The ability to negotiate a good deal for a client. Because, bear in mind you have to represent the client as well as the company and so negotiating like a one off arrangement for finance and vehicle purchasing is certainly different.
What are some of the challenges you find in your role?
Matching the customer’s wants and needs to the vehicle market. Because we have every vehicle there is, it’s a case of fine tuning the vehicles for the client.
What are some of the Driveline services you see as unique?
We offer virtually every vehicle that’s available in the New Zealand market. We’re unique in what we offer in terms of excess km’s and refurbishment. In my past experience that was a big issue. Excess km and refurbishment at the end, whereas with Driveline that is not a challenge if you like. And that’s one of the things I like about it. The other thing I like is that it’s tax deductibility of it and the upfront honesty of what you can own it for at the end.
How much has the automotive industry changed since you started working in it?
Tremendously because the benefits to start-up companies. Instead of putting your money into a vehicle, you can take that money, put it into stock, maybe roll it three or four times a year and the lease payoff is insignificant in comparison.
What are some of the future changes you see happening in the industry?
Electric vehicles are on the horizon now and will likely be more cost effective to run and operate. It will impact on the running cost of vehicles. Instead of having road user tax with diesel, there won’t be anything. So running a vehicle will become more cost effective and more environmentally friendly.
What do you enjoy about the area?
It’s dairy country and there is a whole lot of companies that facilitate to the dairy industry but it’s becoming more and more diverse. There are a lot of growth company here’s that are not only related to the dairy industry, but also IT, there’s a lot of trusts that are Hamilton Based. And they’re going from strength to strength.
What types of vehicles are you getting a lot of interest in?
Utility vehicles and small hatchback vehicles. Also, I have a lot of enquiries about short term leases, which is an interesting and growing market.
If you would like to lease a vehicle, give us a call on 0800-275374 or fill in the quote request form below and someone will be in touch with you very soon.
