The Motor Industry Association farewelled long term chief executive Perry Kerr at a function in Auckland this week, after nearly three decades in the role.
Kerr has worked for the trade for 27 years, with the Motor Industry Association (MIA) and its predecessor, the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association (MVMA). Wife Claire Kerr was also farewelled, having worked for the association also.
Perry Kerr started with the MVMA in 1987, but had already been working with the group for 18 months prior as a tariff consultant.
Kerr is retiring, from the association but not necessarily work, to the Gold Coast.
Current MIA president and Mazda New Zealand managing director Andrew Clearwater led a series of ex-presidents in thanking Kerr for his work.
Clearwater said the joining together in the MIA of the manufacturer and new vehicle importing groups would have been a huge challenge for Kerr.
“From my point of view, probably the biggest challenge he faced – and there’ve been many challenges in the industry – was actually establishing the MIA back in 1996, and also seeing the closure of the local assembly industry here in 1998,” said Clearwater.
“Bringing together in one room the two organisations that at that time represented the motor industry.
“He had all those egos in the room, and trying to form one united group would have been be a huge challenge,” Clearwater continued. “But obviously the younger Perry at that time was up to the challenge.”
He noted Kerr’s skills of negotiation, consultation, and diplomacy.
“Perry’s been the voice – he’s been the glue – that’s held the new vehicle industry together to unite us all on common issues that the industry has faced over the years,” Clearwater said.
Clearwater also noted the news headlines Kerr has generated over the years.
“He has, obviously been in the media with headline grabbing comments from time to time,” Clearwater said. “You know, ‘New Zealand fleet ageing – disgraceful!’, and in 2006 he was on record as saying ‘We are now set to become a dumping ground for old diesel vehicles that can no longer be used in Tokyo’.
“And when you think about it, crossing swords and stirring, as some of you in this room have actually experienced, is a natural gift that Perry has,” Clearwater said, noting the times where Kerr had gone head-to-head with other bodies, particularly the import lobby.
Clearwater pontificated about potential options for Kerr’s future in Australia.
“Obviously Perry is far too young to retire, and they’re desperate for good politicians in Australia,” he jested. “Or alternatively, Perry’s experience in overseeing the closure of vehicle assembly operations may come in handy as well.”
Toyota NZ chief executive Alistair Davis said he has always been impressed by Kerr’s adaptability to the changing industry.
“The thing that strikes me is that he presided over the MVMA organisation when our whole focus was about protectionism, government lobbying to try and keep assembly, et cetera,” Davis said. “And then he had to change, to this completely different space where we’re focussed on promoting the new car industry, the lowering of tariffs, getting rid of all kinds of restrictions, and making it much more of a market focus.
“He’s done a phenomenal job not just for the big companies like Toyota and Ford, who’ve still got quite large infrastructures, but for all the small companies.”
Former BMW NZ managing director Mark Gilbert was part of the group which worked to replace Kerr, and he explained it was not an easy job.
“I think we and the committee looking to employ a replacement thought ‘Hell. Who the hell are we going to get to do this?'”, Gilbert said.
“Because the job is massive,” Gilbert continued. “And you have, I think, in terms of yourself and Claire, done this industry pretty proud.”
Kerr said that, reflecting on his time in the trade, the thing that stands out to him the most is that many of the people he started with are still here.
“Proving to me what I know: that this industry is infectious, and that’s just because it’s so damn bloody competitive,” Kerr said. “You’re innovative, you’re certainly global, and you basically impact on every single New Zealander.
“I just love the way you’re so very, very passionate about your brands, and about your products and you always will be – and I think that’s something that you should be very very proud of.”
Kerr thanked a number of other industry parties, including MIA suppliers, the media, representatives of the Motor Trade Association, the Motor Industry Training Organisation and Gull fuel.
Kerr acknowledged his replacement, David Crawford.
“The changeover has been challenging – I think at times in those first weeks David wondered what the hell on earth he’d let himself in for,” said Kerr.
“By the beginning of the second month it was certainly obvious you’d got to grips with basically the day-to-day procedures, and certainly for the last month I’ve been pretty much in the back seat – if not at times in the boot – with only the occasional glance over your shoulder, and I’m very happy to leave the MIA in your very capable hands.
“So in closing, thank you to every one of you,” Kerr concluded. “It’s been a fantastic ride, and the most memorable 26 years.”
