Subaru of New Zealand GM’s Departure

Subaru of New Zealand GM’s Departure

Subaru of New Zealand General Manager and Director, Wallis Dumper, has resigned from the company to take up the role of Managing Director with a new luxury automotive brand company.

During Mr Dumper’s 10 years with Subaru the brand has enjoyed considerable growth in New Zealand.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, paid tribute to Mr Dumper, saying:

“Wal’s 10 years of success is not just in terms of sales, but in building a strong brand too.

New Zealand is widely recognised internationally as a Subaru success story. It’s one of the most challenging markets, but Wal has admirably demonstrated that a brand like Subaru can develop a distinct local identity that appeals to a dedicated audience.

We wish Wal well in his new endeavours and thank him for his dedication to Subaru, and passion for the brand during a significant period in its development.”

Mr Dumper will join Motorcorp Distributors Ltd early next year. The company will distribute Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo in New Zealand.

His move has been flagged early to ensure a smooth changeover at Subaru.

Mr Dumper will remain with Subaru until year’s end and his successor will be announced in due course.

He said: “After a decade of success and tremendous growth, the time is right to step aside and make way for the next stage of development at Subaru in New Zealand.

Our team consistently delivered record results and I see no reason for that to change.

We have targets to achieve before year end and we have been building a strong customer experience that must continue to be pursued.

It’s important my change is indicated early so our independent dealer team and loyal customers understand this is a well planned succession and their boxer engine beauties keep delivering their All Wheel Drive advantages”.

Mr Dumper said he would retain ties with the broader Subaru “family” as co-directors in his new company are Subaru retailers in NZ. John Fairhall owns Archibald Subaru in Christchurch and co-owns Archibald and Shorter Subaru on Auckland’s North Shore, in association with Giltrap family interests, who also have Subaru associations.

ENDS