Dealers invest in Hyundai future
The soaring success of Hyundai in New Zealand is underpinned by its dealers.
“We are fortunate to have a supply enthusiastic network of respected dealers who display and promote our strong range of
vehicles very well,” said the General Manager of Hyundai Automotive New Zealand Philip Eustace.
“Throughout the country these people are constantly working to improve and serve their owners in the best possible way.
“That is evidenced by major new building work and upgrades at no less than 14 dealerships nationwide, with a total cost
of many millions,” he said.
“These are astute businesspeople who understand that Hyundai has an outstanding future and they are prepared to invest
in it.”
Mr. Eustace hints that further dealerships will join the network shortly.
Some of the major upgrades are mentioned here.
North Harbour Hyundai is building a high-profile new showroom on its site at 175 Wairau Rd, Glenfield, Auckland.
Currently in the planning stages, it will be built behind the existing showroom and offices, which will then be
demolished to create a spacious new yard.
The new area will feature large walk-around space for ten vehicles, a customer lounge, a new vehicle delivery bay, extra
office space and a mezzanine floor for administration. The changes will give more new and used vehicle display parking
on the upper level.
Plans are also on paper for the integration and expansion of the existing workshop.
Subject to consents, building should start early in the new year.
A distinctive new 20-car showroom has just been built at Wings and Wheels Hyundai in Taupo.
It is distinguished by rough-sawn, exposed timber beams while a two-metre Hyundai logo set into in the floor is cut from
5mm stainless steel. The new showroom has a volcanic earth display with a dry riverbed and bridge in coloured concrete
with Australian railway sleepers, 4x4 wheel tracks, and lighting.
Shortly to be added is an audio-visual display, which will include plasma screens and surround sound.
Wings and Wheels Hyundai is now planning to build a second-storey carpark for workshop vehicles on its site at 67
Ruapehu Street, Taupo.
New carparks have been added for the dealership workshop and parts department.
At Wanganui, architects are drawing up plans for a smart upgrade of David Jones Motors.
A spacious new showroom is to be built from scratch specifically for Hyundai vehicles. At road level on the site at 276
Victoria Avenue, it will face towards the city.
Adjacent, an existing office block and small showroom will be demolished, replaced by a double driveway giving access to
the service facilities at the rear of the property.
The dealership’s current showroom on the top level will remain, integrated with new offices and reception areas, which
will provide a new and pleasant area to view new vehicles.
The workshop area will also receive a makeover.
It is hoped construction will start in the New Year.
Bayswater Vehicles in Napier is just finalising plans to triple its workshop to 12 bays.
In a showroom re-make, new signing rooms and a colour scheme change will raise the bar for car firms in Hawkes Bay.
The Carlyle Street dealership is also revamping and expanding its parts and service reception areas and adding a
cafeteria to the new vehicle showroom.
Staff numbers will increase to 25.
Gary Cockram Hyundai is in the final stages of a major showroom upgrade, which will be the most up-to-date facility in
the Christchurch region.
The 500 sq m space will allow excellent presentation of the new Hyundai range with fresh modern display areas for more
than 15 cars. Features include a prestige customer lounge with a media area and café facility.
The dealership is creating an atmosphere to encourage customers to feel relaxed and special, cosseted and comfortable
with a large plasma TV screen and music piped throughout the new building, home to six sales and four support staff.
Of special interest is a wave-effect ceiling, which flows the 40m length
of the showroom area.
A specific delivery area has been laid out with special lighting to make purchase and delivery a special occasion for
the customer.
A stylish verandah-type canopy protects the new entrance and an outdoor courtyard provides a smoking area.
Gary Cockram Hyundai’s high-profile central city site on the corner of Durham and Tuam Streets provides ample customer
parking.
Robbie Baxter Hyundai in Invercargill is in the final stages of remodelling the full frontage of its building, creating
a harmonious whole from a series of additions over the years.
A new parts and service facility was completed late last year.
The dealership now provides extensive fascia signage, the final stage of a dealership upgrade to accommodate the new
Hyundai franchise and create a very obvious presence at 73 North Road, Invercargill.
Pic 1: Gary Cockrams
Caption 1: Brand new showroom at Gary Cockrams in Christchurch.
Pic 2: Wing and Wheels Hyundai
Caption 2: Brand new showroom under construction at Wing and Wheels Hyundai in Taupo
Pic 3: Robbie Baxter
Caption 3: Construction underway at Robbie Baxter Autos in Invercargill
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