PENSKE Australia and New Zealand has appointed Kevin Smith as the general manager for its Penske New Zealand business, effective immediately.

Mr Smith is a highly experienced business leader with a significant background in the transport industry and now oversees all branch operations across various industries, including energy solutions, mining, commercial vehicles, defence, marine and rail.

He was previously general manager of Fuso NZ and before that, general manager of transport aftersales network Truck Stops NZ.

Mr Smith said: “It’s exciting to join an organisation that is passionate about its customers and its services.

Kevin Smith

“Penske has invested heavily in New Zealand in recent years, opening brand-new facilities in Christchurch and Tauranga to complement the existing Auckland branch.

“Along with a stable of innovative and well-proven products and brands, the team at Penske is highly experienced and engaged.

“These are all vital ingredients for continuing to build a successful business that delivers outstanding customer outcomes.”

Penske Australia and New Zealand managing director Hamish Christie-Johnston welcomed the addition of Mr Smith to Penske’s New Zealand operations and the overall executive team.

“It’s wonderful to have Kevin join the Penske team, given his extensive leadership and transport industry experience,” he said.

“Kevin is hitting the ground running, meeting with our team across Australia and New Zealand and also meeting with key customers to learn more about their operations and needs.

“While we have an overarching business strategy for ANZ, our New Zealand customers have specific requirements that Kevin keenly understands.

“And on behalf of Penske, I’d like to thank Brian Wilson, our previous general manager of Penske New Zealand, for his service and wish him well in the future.”