Press Release
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Motorcycle Industry appoints new Chairman
Perry Kerr, CEO of the Motor Industry Association (MIA) has announced that Leigh Beckhaus has been unanimously elected
Chairman of the Motorcycle Group of the Motor Industry Association (MIA). Mr Kerr welcomed the appointment saying it was
noteworthy that Leigh was the first female to chair an MIA committee in what is seen as a traditionally male dominated
environment.
Ms Beckhaus, who is the General Manager for Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand Ltd has been appointed for a two year term
and succeeds Bill Grice, CEO of Suzuki New Zealand Ltd who has chaired the organisation for a number of terms
encompassing more than 25 years involvement with the committee.
“Bill’s considerable expertise and industry knowledge mean that he will be a hard act to follow” she said, “ I look
forward to leading the industry group through what will be an important period. Detail of Government’s motorcycle
policies announced by the Minister of Transport some time ago is to be rolled out over the next year(s) and we will be
looking at their effectiveness in improving road safety for motorcyclists over the longer term.” Ms Beckhaus noted also
that decisions in relation to ACC levies on motorcycles and the role to be played by the new ACC Motorcycle Safety Levy
Group would also be an area of focus for the organisation.
“While sales have softened over the last two years the part that motorcycles play in personal transport will continue to
increase in importance as fuel costs keep trending upwards and commuters continue to experience frustration in urban
transport road networks.”
Ms Beckhaus concluded by saying that she was looking forward to working with the motorcycle industry as well as the
other public and private sector agencies who have an interest in motorcycling in New Zealand….Ends
ends