NZ’s ultimate automotive pop-up store?
Automotive ‘‘pop-up’’ stores are becoming a thing in New Zealand.
Auckland-based luxury car dealership Giltrap Group reckons it might have the ultimate expression of the concept with a roadshow that’s running from November 13-24.
The Group is taking 10 cars from its ‘‘super luxury’’ brands Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini and McLaren to Queenstown, then to Christchurch and Wellington.
While the Group has sole dealership rights for these brands in a new building in Auckland, its buyers come from all over the country.
Super-wealthy owners of superluxury and super-sports cars don’t always want to come to the dealership. Often the dealership has to come to them.
Giltrap Group already runs remote service clinics for these highend vehicles all over the country. The roadshow is also a regular event, every couple of years.
This year, in each location there will be a pop-up dealership, with a day of display and a day of driving for potential buyers.
The drive event near Queenstown will be at Highlands Motorsport Park, while the Christchurch and Wellington days will be on pre-set road routes.
The fleet comprises Aston Martin’s Vantage, DB11 and DBS Superleggera, Bentley’s Continental GT and Bentayga (petrol and diesel), Lamborghini’s Huracan/Aventador (to be confirmed) and Urus, and the McLaren 570 Spyder and 720S.
Total value of the cars is in excess of $4 million. More importantly, total power output is in excess of 4500kW.
Logistics for the event have involved a four-month planning period, 42 flights and 74 hotel rooms.
Obviously, you have to spend money to take expensive cars to people with money. As the old saying goes.
Where to see the cars
November 13: Queenstown Mall (four cars only).
November 14-15: Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell.
November 17-18: George Hotel, Christchurch.
November 23: Asteron Building, Wellington (display).
November 24: QT Hotel, Wellington (base for drive event).