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TRANSPORT » Centra Motor Co / Rangiora Auto Groom
Business South / December 2012
Ticking away nicely in Rangiora Jo Bailey
Complete car sales and service Kelly Deeks Mid Canterbury’s only Hyundai service centre, Centra Motor Co Ashburton, now brings car sales and service together in one location on State Highway One in Tinwald, with the purchase of the Mead Motors service department two years ago. The company was re-established after the purchase at the fully redeveloped former Mead Motors site, which now offers clients a modern customer lounge, complete with a television, free Wifi, and tea and coffee which can be enjoyed while their vehicles receive the gold treatment in the workshop. Offering their clients the total package is important to Centra team. Managing director Amos Wheeler says this is why the integration of the service department will ensure that the same fantastic service is received. “With three qualified technicians, our workshop is dedicated to providing quality, efficient service,” he says. “The original staff of Peter, Neville, Damian and Robin still remain, meaning that the same great service you once received, is still available today.” The service department and parts department carry genuine Hyundai Parts and is well known for great expertise and advice. Centra can issue Warrant of Fitnesses, including an efficient and convenient Saturday morning service, and also LPG Certificates. “Because the technicians issuing the WOF’s are skilled in a large range of vehicles, if there is an issue
that needs repairing, they can advise our clients of the problem and offer a solution,” Wheeler says. “Often minor problems can be fixed on the spot, with the end result meaning less time off the road.” If extensive repairs or servicing need to be undertaken, Centra can offer a late model Hyundai courtesy car, to help prevent clients from being without a vehicle while the job is being completed. The Centra team is kept informed and trained in the advances of new model Hyundai. The expertise and knowledge of their highly trained parts and service team is based on their extensive collective experience. They are experts on the full range of Hyundai models, from the classic Getz to today's i45. With a wide selection of parts, Centra can usually fill orders immediately. However, if the part is not in stock, Centra’s efficient parts network ensures orders can be filled quickly. Centra also stocks a range of new batteries and tyres, and is able to offer advice on the best fit for any vehicle. “No matter what your budget, we can offer a range to suit every pocket, from high performance to cost effective, there is a tyre to fit every ride,” Wheeler says. The next stage of development for Centra Motor Co Ashburton is already in the pipelines, with Wheeler in the process of establishing a new vehicle sales department offering the latest range of Hyundai cars. “Hyundai is the fastest growing automotive brand in the world. It’s product gets better year after year.”
Preferred supplier of quality Caltex lubricants congratulate Centra Motor Company on the refurbishment of their workshop facilities.
David and Pam Dacombe are a couple of quiet achievers in the North Canterbury business community. For more than 32 years their panel beating company, Rangiora Auto Groom, has enjoyed a steady flow of work through its doors, such is the regard with which it is held. “We’ve been lucky. Things keep ticking away nicely,” says David Dacombe. As the name suggests, Rangiora Auto Groom did car grooming as well as panel beating work when it was founded. However the focus is solely on panel and paint jobs these days. For three decades the Dacombes ran the business in partnership with Derek Crowe, from the purpose built premises in Newnham Street they built together 25 years ago. Two years ago they took over the business entirely on Crowe’s retirement. “It was a big step for Pam and I after being in the partnership for so long. But I wasn’t ready to retire just yet.” Rangiora Auto Groom has a team of skilled panel beaters and painters who work on all makes of cars and light commercial vehicles. “We could have grown bigger over the years but prefer to keep the business at this level, with a small, dedicated group who work well together,” he says. Rangiora Auto Groom offers a full panel and paint service including rust work and chassis straightening. It uses the premium PPG brand of automotive paints to ensure the best possible finish. Courtesy cars are available for its customer’s convenience. David Dacombe says the company’s chassis straightening plant is used less these days, as insurance companies appear to be writing off more damaged cars than they did in the past. This is just one of the changes, apart from the rapidly evolving technology, he has witnessed after so long in the industry. “There have been some big changes over the years. Almost all the assessing work is now done digitally, by taking photos and sending them to the assessor. The days of on-site assessors have just about come to an end.” Most of Rangiora Auto Groom’s clients come from the North Canterbury area, some as far afield as Cheviot, Culverden and Oxford. Pam Dacombe, who does all the company’s administration, says virtually all their work is from insurance claims apart from a small amount of private assignments. “We also do a bit of restoration work on classic cars which is something we enjoy.” The couple have restored one of their Ford Model A’s and an old fire engine from the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade, of which David Dacombe was a member for 35 years. “We have met a lot of great people through the fire brigade, and the Canterbury Vintage Car Club and Model
David and Pam Dacombe - still rolling along. A Club with whom we regularly go on runs and rallies.” The Dacombes also enjoy being in business in a small community, a tradition they have carried on from David Dacombe’s father Maurie who ran M D Dacombe Ltd panel shop in Rangiora for many years. “I worked for Dad for a while when I was younger then decided to go truck driving. After a couple of years Derek asked me if I wanted to start a partnership as Rangiora Auto Groom as he had worked for my Dad as a painter and I was a panel beater. It was a challenge I was ready to take on and it’s pretty satisfying to still be operating over 32 years later.” Rangiora Auto Groom, 28 Newnham Street, Rangiora. Phone 313 8276
Toyota Hilux & Landcruiser Specialists Freephone 0800 444 589 www.lineside.co.nz P 03 313 5257 F 03 313 5896 600 Lineside Road, Southbrook, Rangiora
K OLLER & H ASSALL
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For a Professional & Personal Service Contact Brent, Alun or Kathy 267 High Street, Rangiora Telephone 03 313 8103 www.kollerhassall.co.nz
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