DAVID JONES MOTORS Locally owned & operated since 1984
300 St Hill Street, Wanganui • 06 349 1122
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he Jones name has been synonymous with the motor vehicle trade in Whanganui for three generations but that sort of longevity doesn’t happen by chance. It’s all about diligence, product and customer service.
The expansion of David Jones Motors signals another milestone in the evolution of what remains a staunchly family-based company. Douglas Jones, David’s father started selling vehicles in Wanganui for Peter Spurdle who had the Landrover franchise where Gull is currently on Victoria Avenue. Herby Dyke, the former owner of Wanganui Motors approached Doug to be sales manager of his Ford dealership, he held this role for 10 years. David Jones followed his father Doug into the motor vehicle business by taking the opportunity as a sales cadet at Ian Wilks Motors.
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David soon found his ‘gift of the gab’ and customer service style, winning Salesman of the year for General Motors NZ many times over his 10 years with Ian. David and Robyn Jones set up River City Motors in 1984, starting with just 20 cars in stock. Those early years weren’t always easy. The share market crash in 1987hit the whole community hard and times were tough. But as a small, leandealership the company survived. Importing Japanese used cars helped them through, and in the 1990s demand increased as the economy recovered. In 1992, they purchased Regent Motors Daihatsu and over the next 10 years the business grew. The Suzuki brand came to the Avenue yard in 2002 and since then has been joined by SsangYong and LDV vans.