Draft:Giltrap Group
New Zealand Automotive Group
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Giltrap Group is a New Zealand automotive company involved in vehicle importing, distribution, and retail. The group was founded in 1966 by Sir Colin Giltrap, with its origins tracing back to the co-founding of Monaco Motors, a luxury car dealership established in Hamilton. Giltrap Group has played a significant role in New Zealand’s automotive history, contributing to the development of the country’s vehicle distribution network and supporting the growth of motorsport both domestically and internationally.[1]
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Submission declined on 7 February 2026 by TheObsidianGriffon (talk).
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1966 |
| Website | https://www.giltrap.com/ |
As of 2026, Giltrap Group represents 23 automotive brands and one vehicle rental brand. The company operates distribution operations and dealership locations primarily from Auckland, with a national presence across New Zealand.
History
In 1966 Colin Giltrap brought Matamata Motors and co-founded of Monaco Motors, a luxury car dealership in Hamilton.[2][3][4]
During the 1970s, the company acquired New Zealand distribution rights for several international automotive brands, including Porsche, Volkswagen, and Audi. These agreements marked a significant period of growth and helped establish Giltrap Group as a major participant in the New Zealand automotive sector.[5]
Distribution
European Motor Distributors (EMD)
Giltrap founded European Motor Distributors (EMD) in 1977. Through the company, Giltrap Group secured New Zealand distribution rights for Volkswagen, followed by Audi and other brands within the Volkswagen Group, including SEAT, CUPRA, Lamborghini, and Porsche.[6]
Motorcorp Distributors Limited (MDL)
Motorcorp Distributors Ltd is a New Zealand automotive distribution company owned by Giltrap Group. Motorcorp serves as the national authorised importer and distributor of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles to a network of retailers across New Zealand.[7]
NordEast
Launched in 2024, NordEast is a New Zealand automotive distribution company established by Giltrap Group. NordEast brings together a group of brands from China’s Geely Holding Group under a single distribution structure, including Lotus Cars and Volvo Cars. Brands such as Geely Auto, Farizon, and Zeekr were firstly introduced to New Zealand.[8][9]
Dealership Expansion
Schofields of Newmarket
Schofields of Newmarket opened in 1924, making it one of New Zealand's oldest dealerships[10]. During the 1980s, Giltrap Group acquired Schofields in Newmarket. Prior to the dealership being fully rebranded as Giltrap Group, Schofields offered Holden, Chevorlet, and later on Nissan, Škoda and MG vehicles at their dealership in Newmarket under the Giltrap dealership name.
End of 2023, Giltrap Nissan closed its dealership in Newmarket.
Coutts, Giltrap Prestige, General Motors and Nissan
In 1989, Coutts Cars was established as a standalone BMW dealership under the name Coutts BMW, while BMW operations were also hosted at Giltrap North Shore.[11]
Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley were consolidated under a new dealership known as Giltrap Prestige. This dealership also retailed General Motors vehicles and later Nissan models.[12]
In 2023, Giltrap Christchurch opened its doors and thus establishing its first dealership in the South Island.[13][14]
Archibald & Shorter, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota
In 1989, Giltrap Group acquired a 50 percent stake in a Jaguar-Land Rover dealership called Archibald & Shorter in Greenlane and Roverland in Wairau Valley. By 2015, the group acquired full ownership of Archibald & Shorter Greenlane and North Shore.[15][16]
Also in 1989, Giltrap Group acquired a Toyota franchise in Grey Lynn and secured the New Zealand distribution rights for Mercedes-Benz.[17]
In 2014, Giltrap City Toyota was sold to another New Zealand dealership called Armstrongs and renamed Auckland City Toyota.[18][19]
Aston Martin, Škoda, Lamborghini
During the 1990s, the business became New Zealand’s sole Aston Martin dealership and acquired the rights to distribute Škoda in New Zealand. Purpose-built showrooms for Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche were later developed in Auckland CBD. By the early 2000s, Giltrap Group had become the country’s only Lamborghini dealership.[20]
As of 2026, Giltrap Group operates authorised retail dealerships in New Zealand for Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, and McLaren.
MG Cars, Geely, Farizon and Zeekr
In 2023, Giltrap Group opened up an MG dealership in Epsom.[21][22] Giltrap MG later closed in 2025.
Following the establishment of NordEast, Giltrap Group opened its first Geely dealerships in 2025, operating across two locations in Grey Lynn and Wairau Valley. The dealerships retail vehicles from Geely, Farizon, and Zeekr.
Rental Car Franchise
Sixt Car Rental
In 2021, Giltrap Group introduced the German car rental brand Sixt to New Zealand.[23] As of 2026, Sixt operates five branches in the country, located in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Wellington.[24]
Motorsport Involvement
Leadership & Community
The company continues to operate as a family-owned business. In 2023, Sir Colin Giltrap stepped down from his role as chairman of Giltrap Group Holdings, with his two sons Michael and Richard now becoming equal shareholders in the business.[29][30]
Giltrap Group maintains involvement in automotive retail, motorsport support, and community initiatives across New Zealand.[31][32][33][34][35]
In 2024, Steve Kenchington became Group CEO of Giltrap Group, moving from his role as CEO for Motorcorp Distributor Limited (MDL).[36][37]
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