New ownership, and era begins

Press, 11 December 1989, Page 31

New ownership, and era begins

As Toyota prepares to enter a new era in New Zealand in the 19905, Christchurch’s largest Toyota dealership transfers to local ownership. The purchase of Wrightcars Toyota by Christchurch motor businessman Mr Garry Donnithorne follows Fletcher Challenge’s decision to divest itself of its motor industry interests. From today, the dealership will be known as Garry Donnithorne Toyota. For Mr Donnithorne, the decision was an easy one. “Success in the motor industry is about customer satisfaction, and my experience indicates that Toyota places more emphasis on the motoring satisfaction of its customers than any other manufacturer barring none,” he said. In the period leading up to the transfer of ownership, he said it became clear to him that Toyota plans to intensify that emphasis in the 19905, and to increase its involvement in the local community. “Toyota has always had an acute sense of its place in the community right from the time its first factory was deliberately located in an area of Japan that was hit economically by the decline of the silk industry. “It has assembled vehicles in Christchurch since the sixties so its affiliations with this city are already very strong, but there are some exciting plans afoot to make Toyota more truly part of the New Zealand family. “Toyota’s catchphrase for the 1990 s is to be

‘Welcome to our World,’ which indicates the company is determined to be more to is customes than just a supplier of high quality motor vehicles. “From day one, this company will run with the philosophy one hundred percent. I believe the motor industry is entering a new age and Toyota is leading the way.” Mr Donnithorne brings considerable motor industry experience to the dealership. Prior to serving three years as customer services manager of Archibald’s Motors, he was retail services manager for

a large multi-franchise operation in Brisbane. More recently he was involved in the partnership which last year purchased New Zealand’s largest Subaru franchise, Canterbury Motors. He no longer has any affiliation with any other motor business. “I wanted to be in the position of offering my total commitment to Toyota. The product, the customers and the extremely competent and professional Wrightcars staff whom I have been fortunate enough to retain, deserve nothing less.