30 | Relocation brings ‘more space, greater access’ Carbase Carmart has become one of Dunedin’s most respected car yards, and has recently expanded to its new site on Kaikorai Valley Road. Dunedin: Carbase Carmart T T Rosa Watson REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Starting as a small-scale car dealership 27 years ago, with just two employees, Carbase Carmart has become one of Dunedin’s most respected car yards, and has recently expanded to its new site on Kaikorai Valley Road. Known as the “big friendly car dealership ”, Carbase was founded in 1997 by Neil Videler, who set up shop with two employees on the corner of Kaikorai Valley Rd and Barr Street with a simple goal: to bring quality, imported vehicles to the people of Dunedin. From the beginning, Neil envisioned Carbase as a place built on trust and transparency, where customers could rely on both the vehicles and the people selling them. “We wanted to create a place where everyone felt welcome and could buy with confidence, ” Neil says. In 2003, five years after opening, an opportunity arose to represent KIA, a fledgling brand in New Zealand at the time. Recognising the potential, Neil invested heavily in the KIA brand, developing dedicated service and parts facilities, including a paint shop, and expanding his team to ensure high standards of customer support. Over the next decade, the business grew steadily, establishing a reputation not only for its used imports, but also as a trusted KIA dealership. “Building the KIA brand in Dunedin took a lot of hard work from our entire team, but it was worth it to see it thrive here on Kaikorai and achieving such a high market share,” Neil says. By 2013, Carbase had grown to a point where a purpose-built KIA showroom was needed to accommodate the increasing demand. The new KIA showroom, which was an extension to the original office complex, has become a recognisable Dunedin KIA landmark and sales platform coinciding with a rise in KIA’s profile and sales success nationally. By 2023, the Carbase group had grown to employ 35 staff. Realising there was a need for each part of the business to have its own distinct identity, Neil made the strategic decision to separate Carbase from Dunedin KIA, allowing each business to focus on its core market. It seemed the right time, as Carbase had already begun trading as Carbase Carmart, specialising in locally sourced cars under $15,000. This year, Carbase Carmart seized a unique opportunity to relocate when the iconic site of Performance Cars, a long-standing Kaikorai Valley car sales, became available. The former owner, John Sebelin, had passed away, and Neil saw a way to respectfully continue Sebelin’s legacy. “John was such a stalwart of Kaikorai Valley, actually trading for 52 years, so we’re proud to follow in his footsteps,” Neil adds. “This wide frontage site has special qualities, more space and greater access” Despite the broader economic challenges of 2024, Carbase Carmart has stayed resilient, standing out by offering additional services such as Warrant of Fitness (WOF) checks and servicing. Neil believes these benefits help build relationships and add lasting value. “In this business, trust is everything. We aim to do right by our customers every time.” 586 Kaikorai Valley Road | 03 478 8808 PROUD TO SUPPORT CARBASE DUNEDIN PACE ELECTRICAL SERVICES LTD AUTOMATION CONTROLS ELECTRICAL PLC
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