Penske goes big in NZ

The Penske automotive empire is ramping up operations in New Zealand, with the opening of a new state-of-the-art facility in Wiri, south of Auckland, seeing Penske Commercial Vehicles sitting alongside Penske Power Systems and Parts Distribution.

As in Australia, Penske Commercial Vehicles is the New Zealand distributor of Western Star, MAN and Dennis Eagle trucks, while Penske Power Systems distributes a range of off-highway diesel and gas engines under the MTU and Detroit Diesel brands.

Penske Power Systems also distributes Allison Transmission products in Australia, but not in New Zealand.

Spread over nearly 18,000 square metres, the complex boasts a workshop with 16 truck service bays and a chassis dynamometer, plus individual bays for on- and off-highway strip-downs and rebuilds, and an area devoted to fabrication.

Other features include brake roller and suspension testers, heavy vehicle jacking systems, metered lubrication systems and a waste oil and coolant removal system, among others.

According to Randall Seymore, President – Penske Transportation Group International, the facility will deliver a first-class experience for customers.

"The purpose-built Wiri facility confirms Penske's investment within New Zealand and delivers on our promise of customer service excellence and sales support to the local market," he said in a media statement.

"While the new facility will help our New Zealand team realise shared Penske business synergies, each brand will continue to operate independently to best service its customers."

To that end the new site also encompasses a 1466 square meter parts distribution centre, plus 1698 square meters in office space that is home to over 70 staff.

A training centre will offer factory-backed training to New Zealand Penske customers, while a dedicated showroom will stock a range of truck parts, accessories and merchandise.

The facility is already open for business at 4 Langley Road, Wiri, not far from Auckland International Airport. A formal opening celebration is planned for November.

For more information visit www.penskecv.co.nz or www.penskeps.co.nz.