Owner plans further growth

Adding a Mitsubishi dealership to Wanganui's Guthrie Motors has created three new jobs - and owner Ken Williams has more changes in store.

They would happen as the business grew "and I do see the business growing", he said.

Mr Williams bought what was called Guthrie Holden & Kia on March 16.

It's now called Guthrie Motors 2012 Ltd, and he intends another name change by August.

The business sells used cars, parts and service for Holden, Kia and Mitsubishi.

Mr Williams said Holden was a brand he liked and Kia vehicles were made in South Korea.

He took on Mitsubishi after buying the business. There hasn't been a Mitsubishi dealer in Wanganui since McVerry Crawford closed last year.

He's having a new three-car showroom built for Mitsubishi vehicles, and has also taken on a Mitsubishi salesman, parts person and technician - bringing staff numbers to 18.

He said he was in the business for the long haul and it was just what he wanted.

Mr Williams started work as a mechanic in 1973, and finished an apprenticeship.

Then he went to Otago University and got a diploma in teaching physical education.

But he never got a teaching job because he also met his wife there. She was a fellow PE student and they started a family.

He went back to the motor trade and most recently has had his own business in Wellington. For the past 20 years, he has lived in Pauatahanui, near Wellington, farming a small herd of Hereford cattle.

He is in the process of shifting to Wanganui at the moment, with his wife looking for a job in a secondary school.

He likes what he is seeing.

"This is a pretty cool little town," he said.