MERCURY CHIEF VISITS NZ
John Pfeifer, president of Mercury Marine, visited New Zealand in late May, talking to Mercury dealers and taking in the final day of the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland.
Pfeifer was happy to talk with Boating NZ about Mercury Marine’s business and the importance of the New Zealand market.
The USA makes up around 50 per cent of the global market for marine engines and market conditions there are improving, says Pfeifer, after a downturn in the wake of the GFC. Recovery has been slower in Europe and Oceania (which includes New Zealand and Australia), but those markets are also improving and Mercury is gaining market share globally, according to Pfeifer.
The manufacture and distribution of marine engines, including Mercury outboards and Mercruiser inboards, is slightly less than half of Mercury Marine’s global business with parts and accessories making up the balance. In recent years Mercury Marine has concentrated on acquisitions to drive growth, gain market share and become a more reliable supplier. Mercury’s relatively recent acquisition of BLA is a good example of this strategy, says Pfeifer.
Pfeifer also noted the continuing swing away from two-stroke outboards.
“As four-strokes have become lighter, more reliable and easier to service the argument for buying two-stroke outboards has become increasingly less convincing,” explains Pfeifer.
Even in markets like New Zealand without strict emissions regulations, four-strokes are forging ahead of two-strokes due to superior fuel economy, better NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) ratings and improved torque characteristics.
Pfeifer says Mercury Marine pays close attention to New Zealand, which the company considers has a unique boating culture.