It was a very soggy start to the Central Districts Fieldays on Thursday March 17, but the rain didn’t deter the locals from turning out to Manfield Park in Fielding to view the machinery and equipment on offer.
Hino Distributors is a regular exhibitor at Fieldays and the sales engineers were philosophical about the weather. Wellington region sales engineer Dave Jackson told DIESELtalk that the team had already taken some strong enquiries in the first few hours which he hoped would lead to firm sales.
Norwood Waikato regional manager for Morrinsville/Te Awamutu Craig Berkers says falling revenue in the dairy industry has certainly seen a decline in tractor sales – the company has seen a 9% decrease already in the combined months of January and February, but he commented that the sheep and beef sector are still strong and continue to buy equipment when needed.
Gough Group parts and service representative Peter Torrance told DIESELtalk that infrastructure projects such as Transmission Gully and the Mackay to Peka Peka extension are having a positive effect on equipment and parts sales for the company.
Local car dealers had a large and strong presence at the Central Districts Fieldays, particularly Robertson Motor Group which represents the Holden, Audi, Volkswagen, 
Nissan, Kia, Mazda, and Subaru passenger brands as well as Isuzu heavy trucks.
Robertson Prestige dealer principal Mike McCready told DIESELtalk since taking over the Volkswagen franchise 14 months ago and recently moving into new premises in Palmerston North, the brand is getting some good traction with it’s light commercial vehicles.
He is hopeful for 30 Amarok sales this year but says the Volkswagen pick-up attracts a different and more premium buyer than someone who would purchase a Holden Colorado.
“Colorado suits the farm buyer, and the Amarok suits the more premium buyer,” says McCready. “The group would sell roughly around 7 Colorado pick ups to one Amarok. People use the Colorado as a working vehicle on their properties, but the Amarok customer is different buyer and uses it more for lifestyle,” he says.
