Hyundai dealership gears up

The showroom is in an existing building which was previously used for hire vehicles and a valet service at Wanganui Motors.

It has been renovated to match the exacting standards of the Spencer and Giltrap families, who own the New Zealand franchise for the Korean-made vehicles.

Mr Quirk said the showroom had bright ceiling lights and a tile floor, with exterior signs and a mural still to come.

Building work on the showroom has been done by Jamie O'Leary Builder, to designs specified by the franchise owners.

Mr Quirk, who has spent 30 years in the motor industry, is impressed by the enterprise and ambition of the Hyundai franchise.

"This opportunity was not to be missed," he said. "We have one of the world's most dynamic automotive brands with great new vehicles and simply amazing determination to be the aspirational choice of a whole new generation."

Wanganui Motors already has Hyundai diagnostic tools and Hyundai-trained mechanics. They have been doing Hyundai maintenance for about six weeks, ahead of the showroom opening.

The Korean vehicles are in demand, especially as fleet cars for government departments.

Mr Quirk said some had already been pre-ordered.

The dealership will sell the full range - cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles.

It will be the first time Hyundai sales have been available in Wanganui since April.

The Dyke family has owned Wanganui Motors since 1963.

It's on Ridgway St and has been a Ford dealer since 1963 and a Mazda dealer since 1999.