Latest news with #FordNewZealand
NZ Autocar
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Sean Tupp is the national sales manager for GAC Motor NZ
Sean Tupp today announced his appointment as national sales manager for GAC Motor NZ. Tupp has 25 years of managerial experience in the motor industry. The new Chinese brand set up shop here in February 2025. Back then it said Erjin (David) Bao was the new brand's national manager for New Zealand. Tupp began his career at Ford New Zealand, then moved to the Giltrap Group-owned European Motor Distributors. There he climbed the ranks from sales manager at Volkswagen to general manager of the Skoda brand. He also became the sales GM for Holden New Zealand before moving into management roles at MG Motor New Zealand and most recently GWM Haval Australia and New Zealand. GAC Motor, short for Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Co., Ltd., is a Chinese car manufacturer that was founded in 2008. It has headquarters in Guangzhou. Wholly owned by GAC Group, it focuses on making vehicles, auto parts, and is involved in related trading services. Its first offering will likely be the Aion 5 SUV, and should launch here before year end. As of November 2021, GAC Motor is represented in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. In addition, the company has set up distributors in several countries. GAC Motor has partnered with major international manufacturers, such as Toyota. It is now taking steps to introduce its line-up—including electric and hybrid SUVs under the Aion banner—to markets including Australia (slated for mid-2025) and New Zealand.
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Aussie Ford salesmen carved up pristine Catlins beach
A group of Australian car salesmen had timed vehicle races and did "donuts" on a pristine Catlins beach, believing they were allowed to. The Clutha District Council confirmed yesterday it had received a complaint over the vehicles, describing the incident as very disappointing. The group said, when contacted yesterday, they were surprised they had been driving where they should not. Ford New Zealand is distancing itself from the party — a bunch of Australian Ford salesman, driving Ford Rangers - who had been in Queenstown before heading to Papatowai Beach. The incident occurred in the middle of last month. Beaches in the Clutha area have been under the spotlight over the past couple of years after the Clutha District Council pulled back on a full ban of vehicles on beaches, despite threats to wildlife and people. Papatowai resident Mary Sutherland said she saw nine Ford Ranger utes on the beach with people having a picnic on March 19. One of the men came over, introduced himself and said they were a group of car dealers, she said. "They then got into their trucks and one at a time raced down the beach, timing each other. "They would do donuts and then go back up the beach," she said. "They were going as fast as they can. I couldn't say exactly how fast but it was fast." "They were not going into the water or the high tide mark. But I left as I was not totally comfortable with what they were doing. There was another group who also left and another couple from further down [the beach] walked along and left. "There were no sea lions there that day — they only impacted birds who flew away. But we have had a very busy season with sea lions there nearly every day." They did not mind sharing the beach but she was a bit cynical of bringing cars into such a beautiful natural setting, Mrs Sutherland said. When asked if it had the potential to be a disaster, she said it did. "It is not the behaviour you want to see on a beach," Mrs Sutherland said. A Ford New Zealand spokesman said the trip was an annual sales incentive trip for Ford Australia dealer sales managers, run independently by Ford Australia and their Australian events management company. "We will be having discussions with the Ford Australia team regarding their event in New Zealand and will require assurances in the future regarding their drive programmes, locations and practices," he said in a statement. "But they were assured, as they have been in the past, they only drove on permissible roads, beaches and offroad tracks. They've done these trips quite a few times without any issues, incidents. Just the opposite in fact — they've been very popular and they love coming over to New Zealand for the same reasons we live here. It's beautiful. So they are equally surprised to know they may have been driving where they shouldn't." The spokesman said the group did drive down to a beach where there were seals and other cars on the beach but they did not drive on that beach. A Clutha District Council spokeswoman said a complaint was made to the council. No ranger was in the area on the day. The drivers appear to have breached rules under the Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw 2023, including (when operating a vehicle) showing consideration for other users and vulnerable wildlife, operating a vehicle in a courteous, appropriate, safe and responsible manner and not causing damage to any part of a beach. "This is a very disappointing situation and council is in the process of reviewing all evidence before approaching the parties involved."
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Australian Ford salesmen carved up pristine Catlins beach
A group of Australian car salesman had timed vehicle races and did "donuts" on a pristine Catlins beach, believing they were allowed to. The Clutha District Council confirmed yesterday it had received a complaint over the vehicles, describing the incident as very disappointing. The group said, when contacted yesterday, they were surprised they had been driving where they should not. Ford New Zealand is distancing itself from the party — a bunch of Australian Ford salesman, driving Ford Rangers, who had been in Queenstown before heading to the Papatowai Beach. The incident occurred in the middle of last month. Beaches in the Clutha area have been under the spotlight over the past couple of years after the Clutha District Council pulled back on a full ban of vehicles on beaches, despite threats to wildlife and people. Papatowai resident Mary Sutherland said she saw nine Ford Ranger utes on the beach with people having a picnic on March 19. One of the men came over, introduced himself and said they were a group of car dealers, she said. "They then got into their trucks and one at a time raced down the beach, timing each other. "They would do donuts and then go back up the beach," she said. "They were going as fast as they can. I couldn't say exactly how fast but it was fast." "They were not going into the water or the high tide mark. But I left as I was not totally comfortable with what they were doing. There was another group who also left and another couple from further down [the beach] walked along and left. "There were no sea lions there that day — they only impacted birds who flew away. But we have had a very busy season with sea lions there nearly every day." They did not mind sharing the beach but she was a bit cynical of bringing cars into such a beautiful natural setting, Mrs Sutherland said. When asked if it had the potential to be a disaster, she said it did. "It is not the behaviour you want to see on a beach," Mrs Sutherland said. A Ford New Zealand spokesman said the trip was an annual sales incentive trip for Ford Australia dealer sales managers, run independently by Ford Australia and their Australian events management company. "We will be having discussions with the Ford Australia team regarding their event in New Zealand and will require assurances in the future regarding their drive programmes, locations and practices," he said in a statement. "But they were assured, as they have been in the past, they only drove on permissible roads, beaches and offroad tracks. They've done these trips quite a few times without any issues, incidents. Just the opposite in fact — they've been very popular and they love coming over to New Zealand for the same reasons we live here. It's beautiful. So they are equally surprised to know they may have been driving where they shouldn't." The spokesman said the group did drive down to a beach where there were seals and other cars on the beach but they did not drive on that beach. A Clutha District Council spokeswoman said a complaint was made to the council. No ranger was in the area on the day. The drivers appear to have breached rules under the Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw 2023, including (when operating a vehicle) showing consideration for other users and vulnerable wildlife, operating a vehicle in a courteous, appropriate, safe and responsible manner and not causing damage to any part of a beach. "This is a very disappointing situation and council is in the process of reviewing all evidence before approaching the parties involved."
