Selling Nissans for 40 years

MARKING A MILESTONE: Pictured from left are Enterprise Nissan general manager Leon Lewis, Nissan NZ dealer development manager Brian Carr, Enterprise Nissan owner Fred Lewis, Enterprise Nissan sales manager Steven Shields and Enterprise Nissan dealer principal Tyler Prosser. Picture by Liam Clayton

A Gisborne car dealership is celebrating 40 years of selling Nissans.

Enterprise Nissan is Gisborne’s

oldest locally owned new-vehicle franchisee.

Business founder Fred Lewis always had a relationship with cars before setting up one of the nation’s most successful used-car outlets.

He was a 22-year-old panel beater at Ormond Motors when he and friend Gary Bates set up a business on Disraeli Street with capital of just $500, after selling their tool kits as security.

Before long, larger premises were needed so they moved to the industrial subdivision. As the business continued to expand, they bought out Johnstone Motors in Gladstone Road — which is where the business is located to this day.

After buying up other dealerships outside of Gisborne, the company was split in two, with Gary taking on the panel beating side and Fred the motor dealership side.

Fred took on the Nissan franchise and hasn’t looked back since.

“The Nissan brand fits well into the Enterprise business, producing safe and efficient vehicles at exceptional value for money.

“At Enterprise, the customer service is second to none — whether it be sales, finance, service or parts and all at great value for money.”

Enterprise Nissan’s new-car sales manager Steven Shields came on board about 25 years ago and says the company has boasted many skilled technicians over that time, “with one of them being in the top two of New Zealand and the top 10 of Australia-NZ”.

“We’ve also received many sales awards for outstanding sales and service satisfaction.”

That satisfaction was shown through a number of families continuing their relationship with the company through multiple generations.

“It’s all down to good service.

“We are a community-minded company, with Enterprise over the years sponsoring many things like the Sports Centre on Aberdeen Road, the Enterprise Aquatic Centre and the Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club Bay Bonanza.”