30 Oct 2024
Leading with Legacy
Nicholson Autos, a proud family-owned business, has been a trusted name in the automotive industry since its founding in 1980. What began as a local dealership has evolved into a community cornerstone, now spanning multiple generations of the Nicholson family.
Originally established by the Paine family in Morrinsville, the business has expanded throughout the Bay of Plenty with dealerships also in Whakatāne and Rotorua. They’re currently led by Dean and Ross Nicholson, who have upheld the family values that define the company’s direction. Many employees have been with the company for years, moving between departments and building diverse expertise. That kind of loyalty speaks volumes about how Nicholson’s value their staff. Bringing a fresh perspective to an enduring legacy is Brad McKenzie, who after having worked in every department, has recently taken the reins as CEO.
Suzuki has gladly been part of the dealership and the communities they serve since 2013. When asked about what’s in store for Suzuki and the future at Nicholson Autos, Community and Promotions Lead, Alan Kerby had nothing but praises to sing:
“The best thing about Suzuki is that we barely need to advertise them – they sell themselves,” he says.
“They’re a no-fuss franchise. Offering reliability and easy maintenance, time and again we see Suzuki customers returning to trade-in, upgrade, and stay part of the Suzuki community.”
Beyond the business, Nicholson’s proudly supports their wider community. They’re thrilled to partner with the Whakatāne Disability Resource Centre (DRC); sponsoring their Suzuki S-Cross to positively impact the lives of elderly and people with disabilities. Connecting and creating opportunities for their community is a huge part of Nicholson’s philosophy. When talking about their involvement, Kerby simply stated:
“We always want to be supporting the community around us. It’s what we’re all about. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
Pretty well put, don’t you think?