Who we are
The Giltrap Group is proud to be a family-owned New Zealand business. Our mission is to deliver a world-leading customer experience.We love cars, and we are about people. Across the Giltrap Group, we share a common vision to be the best at whatever we do. We believe this is done by working together, taking ownership to do the right thing, and going the extra mile every time.
Our story
In the late 60s, Colin expanded his interests by buying Matamata Motors and then Coutts of Great North Road in Auckland. Colin has turned his passion for cars into a portfolio of automobile businesses both here and overseas.
Legacy
While Sir Colin continued his interest in the business of motor racing, sons Michael and Richard have held overall management of the group. They have carried the culture that Sir Colin has created - carrying the family love of cars, people, motorsport and the local community. Today the Giltrap Group is one of the strongest motor vehicle groups in New Zealand.
1966
Colin Giltrap founded Hamilton luxury car dealership: Monaco Motors.
1970 - 1974
Colin Giltrap expands the business - buying Matamata Motors.
Colin Giltrap buys a company called P Coutts and Co a dealership- the distributor and retailer of Daimler, and retailer of Triumph and Rover. This was later renamed Coutts Cars.
Mazda Dealership set up at 444 Great North Road, a dealership that also sold Audi.
Colin Giltrap acquires the distributor right to Porsche in New Zealand.
Colin Giltrap buys a company called P Coutts and Co a dealership- the distributor and retailer of Daimler, and retailer of Triumph and Rover. This was later renamed Coutts Cars.
Mazda Dealership set up at 444 Great North Road, a dealership that also sold Audi.
Colin Giltrap acquires the distributor right to Porsche in New Zealand.
1977
European Motor Distributors Limited is formed. This acquires distributorship rights for Volkswagen and later on Audi.
1989
Acquisition of Schofields of Newmarket - a major public company.
Coutts Cars becomes a standalone BMW dealership: Coutts BMW at 150 Great North Road, with Giltrap North Shore, also hosting BMW, Audi, VW Porsche, Rolls Royce and Bentley move to 101 Great North Road, under a new dealership called "Giltrap Prestige". This dealership also retailed GM products and later on Nissan.
A 50% ownership of Archibald & Shorter in Greenlane, Auckland - a Jaguar dealership - on a Joint Venture basis.
Coutts Cars becomes a standalone BMW dealership: Coutts BMW at 150 Great North Road, with Giltrap North Shore, also hosting BMW, Audi, VW Porsche, Rolls Royce and Bentley move to 101 Great North Road, under a new dealership called "Giltrap Prestige". This dealership also retailed GM products and later on Nissan.
A 50% ownership of Archibald & Shorter in Greenlane, Auckland - a Jaguar dealership - on a Joint Venture basis.
1993 - 1996
Giltrap Prestige becomes the only Aston Martin dealership for New Zealand.
The Giltrap Group acquires the distributor rights to Skoda in New Zealand.
The Giltrap Group acquires the distributor rights to Skoda in New Zealand.
2001
Giltrap Prestige outgrows the building at 150 and creates a new purpose-built building with dedicated showrooms for Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche at 100 Great North Road. This is now also the new location for European Motor Distributors.
2002 - 2009
Giltrap Prestige becomes the only Lamborghini dealership for New Zealand.
Giltrap Prestige separates its six luxury brands, and Independent Prestige is formed, hosting Bentley, Lamborghini and Aston Martin at 150 Great North Road.
Giltrap Prestige stays at 100 Great North Road with Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche.
Coutts Mercedes-Benz and North Shore Mercedes-Benz are sold to the Ingham Group.
Giltrap North Shore acquires the Kia franchise.
Schofields of Newmarket acquires the Nissan franchise.
Giltrap Prestige separates its six luxury brands, and Independent Prestige is formed, hosting Bentley, Lamborghini and Aston Martin at 150 Great North Road.
Giltrap Prestige stays at 100 Great North Road with Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche.
Coutts Mercedes-Benz and North Shore Mercedes-Benz are sold to the Ingham Group.
Giltrap North Shore acquires the Kia franchise.
Schofields of Newmarket acquires the Nissan franchise.
2010 - 2012
Lexus of Auckland City is split from Giltrap City Toyota and moves to its own purpose-built facility at 29 Great North Road.
Independent Prestige moves to 120 Great North Road.
With Audi New Zealand expanding beyond expectations, the Giltrap Group decided to construct a new Audi Terminal at the old Independent Prestige site - 150 Great North Road. This was officially opened on July 15th, 2011.
Audi moves out of Giltrap Prestige and becomes a standalone dealership known as Giltrap Audi.
European Motor Distributors open a distributing centre in a purpose-built facility at the Airport Oaks.
Independent Prestige moves to 120 Great North Road.
With Audi New Zealand expanding beyond expectations, the Giltrap Group decided to construct a new Audi Terminal at the old Independent Prestige site - 150 Great North Road. This was officially opened on July 15th, 2011.
Audi moves out of Giltrap Prestige and becomes a standalone dealership known as Giltrap Audi.
European Motor Distributors open a distributing centre in a purpose-built facility at the Airport Oaks.
2012
Sir Colin Giltrap received New Year's Honours as he was made a Knights Companion of the Order of New Zealand of Merit for his services to motorsport and philanthropy.
2013 - 2017
Nissan moves out of Schofields of Newmarket and establishes its own showroom further down Great South Road, known as Giltrap Nissan.
McLaren Auckland opens marking a historic return to New Zealand - the dealership also marked McLaren's 50th dealership on its 50th anniversary.
Giltrap City Toyota is sold after many years of being part of the Giltrap family.
The Giltrap Group become 100% owners of Archibald & Shorter (Auckland) and Roverland (North Shore). Both dealerships retail Land Rover, Volvo and Jaguar. Roverland is renamed to Archibald & Shorter North Shore.
The Giltrap Group acquires the distributor rights to SEAT in New Zealand
McLaren Auckland opens marking a historic return to New Zealand - the dealership also marked McLaren's 50th dealership on its 50th anniversary.
Giltrap City Toyota is sold after many years of being part of the Giltrap family.
The Giltrap Group become 100% owners of Archibald & Shorter (Auckland) and Roverland (North Shore). Both dealerships retail Land Rover, Volvo and Jaguar. Roverland is renamed to Archibald & Shorter North Shore.
The Giltrap Group acquires the distributor rights to SEAT in New Zealand
2017 - 2021
Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Bentley move into a new bespoke premises - 119GNR, along with Giltrap Group Head Office.
SEAT New Zealand open their first dealership in Newmarket, SEAT Store.
SIXT car rental and subscription service launches. Polestar and Lotus become part of the Giltrap Group.
SEAT New Zealand open their first dealership in Newmarket, SEAT Store.
SIXT car rental and subscription service launches. Polestar and Lotus become part of the Giltrap Group.