23 Mar 2023
Origins of the Kidd Clan
From Scotland to Antarctica to the Manawatu, Eurocar Suzuki Palmerston North founder Robin Kidd has an interesting backstory that led to becoming New Zealand’s best provincial Suzuki dealership in 2021.
Eurocar Suzuki Palmerston North is a family-run business that has been operating for 37 years. They have a rich history that began with Robin Kidd – originally from Scotland – who worked as an engineer at Scott Base in Antarctica before meeting his kiwi wife Jenny and settling in New Zealand.
The dealership is now a family affair, with Robin’s son Stephen returning from Amsterdam in 2007 to run the sales department, and his daughter Donna, returning from London in the same year to manage the office. Robin has since retired, leaving Stephen to take over. The dealership has 14 staff members, with several long serving employees including Carl Giddens, who has been the service manager for 20 years, and a technician for 40 years. Marc Nicholls and Lewis Morgan also each have over 15 years of service in the sales division.
Eurocar Suzuki prides itself on offering exceptional customer service and providing personalised solutions to its customers. For staff, work is a positive place to be. They are a tight unit with low staff turnover, which is a real credit to the quality of the employees and the dealership’s relaxed management style. With a close-knit team and good relationships with Suzuki and their community, they pride themselves on having a finger on the pulse when it comes to vehicles and their customers. They have a loyal customer base, including many long-standing Suzuki owners.
Stephen, now sales manager, was a self-proclaimed sales novice when he first joined his father’s car yard in 2007. Over the past 16 years, Stephen and the team have won several awards from Suzuki. The team has an excellent relationship with Suzuki NZ, which has been supportive of the dealership since joining the franchise in 1991.
Stephen says “Suzuki NZ has been outstanding, they are great to deal with, always approachable and helpful. Suzuki stands by their product and looks after the franchises. They’re clearly confident in the performance of their dealerships and work with them to ensure they are supported and successful.”
Stephen thinks Suzukis are excellent, reliable, and safe with great fuel efficiency. So, when a customer buys a Suzuki, he’s confident that the customer will be more than satisfied.
Suzuki is a leader in fuel efficiency and now also includes hybrid vehicles in their range to meet consumer demand. Although Suzuki vehicles basically sell themselves, Stephen is always keen to be involved in boosting Suzuki’s profile, and with clean car rebates available on numerous vehicles within the range there’s now even more value to offer his Suzuki customers.
In the past 18 months, Eurocar Suzuki Palmerston North has undergone a transformation with a modernised showroom that boasts new lighting, flooring, and more space, as well as new signage. Looking ahead, the dealership plans to expand its retail offerings to accommodate a larger inventory, cementing its status as a trusted and reputable partner for Suzuki and all automotive needs.