| 53 T T Rosa Watson National award for Oamaru dealership Oamaru’s Peter Keown Automotive has been named as one of nine Mitsubishi diamond dealers in the country for parts and service. AUTOMOTIVE Peter Keown Automotive “The business has always been a Mitsubishi New Zealand parts and service dealer, and that has carried on under their ownership, and grown as well.” Peter Keown Automotive is a well-known brand around Oamaru and the Waitaki, and now the Mitsubishi dealership has been recognised on a national level. The Mitsubishi parts and service dealership has been named as one of nine Mitsubishi diamond dealers in the country for parts and service. It was the only South Island outlet to receive the award at the ceremony, which was held in Queenstown in May. Owners Peter and Susan Keown say it was a thrill to have received the recognition, and it came as a complete surprise when they were named at the awards. “It was only the second time we’ve been invited to the awards evening, and we won! It was pretty exciting.” The business received the award based on their commitment to parts and services. “We surpassed everything we had to do for Mitsubishi,” Susan says. Judges noted the award was boosted by exceptionally high customer-experience ratings for the dealership. The couple took over the business from Peter’s former employer in 2001. Peter was a long-serving staff member at the time and well-known in the community. Then, in 2012, they shifted to larger, newer premises across the road from where they started. The business has always been a Mitsubishi New Zealand parts and service dealer, and that has carried on under their ownership, and grown as well. It also sells vehicles on behalf of Andrew Simms Mitsubishi in Dunedin. They always had a good working relationship with Stephen Duff Mitsubishi in Dunedin, with Stephen supplying them with new Mitsubishi stock to sell on their yard, and this relationship will continue with Andrew Simms Mitsubishi in Dunedin, Susan says. “Generally, we have one of every (model) on the lot.” Their relationship with the Dunedin dealership had developed over the years. “They were looking for somewhere to get into the North Otago market,” Susan explains. However, the main line of business remains in repairs and servicing on all makes and models of vehicles. As Susan points out, “The car sales are just an added bonus.” The business is an authorised Mitsubishi parts supplier, AA licensed repairer with a towing and break-down contract, and a Motor Trade Association (MTA) member. They cover the whole North Otago area out to the Waitaki Valley, and provide long-haul towing to Dunedin. They also offer the full spectrum of mechanical repairs and servicing, warrant of fitness inspections, and auto-electrical work. The workshop has six hoists, with the experienced technicians able to deliver a wide range of services with the use of a number of diagnostic scan tools. There are seven technicians in the workshop and two full-time and one part-time office staff. The company is a family affair, with Peter running the sales yard and the workshop and Susan in the office. Their son works in the workshop and his wife works part-time in the office. Peter had built up a name within the community over the years and become a trusted name, Susan says. “Peter’s been doing it a long time and everybody knows him.” 03 437 2336 027 224 1353 394 Thames Highway, Oamaru 9400 admin@pkeownauto.nz Peter Keown Automotives Ltd Mitsubishi Parts & Service • New & Used Mitsubishi Vehicles for Sale ON CALL 24/7 0800 434 840 • APPLIANCE REPAIRS & SERVICING • SECURITY CAMERAS SYSTEMS • DAIRY SHED & PLANT • IRRIGATION • DOMESTIC SERVICES • COMMERCIAL SERVICES • HEAT PUMPS & VENTILATION PROUD TO WORK WITH PETER KEOWN AUTOMOTIVE LTD
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