Shifting gears: How Southpac Trucks is driving its next chapter
For more than six decades, Southpac Trucks has been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s commercial transport sector. WiriLink sat down with Matt Moir, JAC Business Development Manager at Southpac Trucks, to talk trucks and learn about their latest brand offering in New Zealand.
Southpac Trucks has been based at 96/98 Wiri Station Road since 1985. Over that time, the business has grown into one of the country’s most comprehensive truck dealerships, offering sales, parts, servicing, engineering and compliance work across light and heavy commercial vehicles.
“We’re a full-service operation. Sales, parts and servicing are the backbone, but we also do a lot of engineering work, CLF modifications and COFs. Customers can bring a truck here and have everything taken care of in one place” says Matt.
Southpac represents three major truck brands: Kenworth, DAF and, most recently, JAC.
Kenworth and DAF form the traditional backbone of Southpac’s range. Kenworth trucks, known for their durability and customisation, are built to handle New Zealand’s toughest conditions.
“These trucks are designed to last. You’ll see Kenworths still working after multiple decades, rebuilt and refreshed rather than replaced. They’re not cookie-cutter trucks; customers can customise almost everything, from the cab layout to the stitching on the seats.”
DAF, meanwhile, offers European refinement with a focus on driver comfort and efficiency.
“DAF brings a bit of finesse. They’re hugely popular with linehaul drivers who spend their working week living in the truck. Comfort matters when it’s your second home.”
The most significant development for Southpac is the introduction of JAC Trucks, brand new to the New Zealand truck market but far from new globally. JAC has been manufacturing trucks and commercial vehicles internationally for more than 60 years and produces hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually.
JAC trucks are offered exclusively through Southpac in New Zealand and offers great value to prospective customers. A five-year, 200,000-kilometre warranty, full air brakes and a true automatic transmission set JAC apart from many competitors in the light- and medium-duty segment.
“Air brakes are a big deal for safety. They’re far more secure than driveline handbrakes, especially on loaded vehicles or inclines. It’s a feature you usually expect on heavy trucks, so having it in this class is a real advantage.”
JAC also brings a sustainability story, with an all-electric truck option now available. Southpac is one of only a handful of brands offering electric commercial trucks in New Zealand.
With fast-charging capabilities and growing charging infrastructure, JAC’s EV offering positions Southpac to support customers as sustainability reporting and emissions reduction become increasingly important.
“We’ve already sold EV JAC trucks into fleets like Woolworths and local councils. They’re ideal for urban delivery work – quiet, efficient and with real-world range that works for city operations.”
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Southpac’s Wiri location isn’t accidental. Positioned close to major motorways, freight hubs and the Ports of Auckland, it places the dealership at the centre of one of New Zealand’s busiest logistics corridors.
“Location is everything. We’re right by the motorway, so customers can head north, south or east easily. A lot of our transport clients are already based around here, so it makes sense for them to buy, service and maintain their trucks close to where they operate.”
That accessibility has helped Southpac build long-standing relationships with transport companies throughout Auckland and beyond. Nationally, the business operates branches across the North and South Islands and works with an extensive network of service agents, giving it one of the largest service footprints in the country.
As JAC gains traction, Southpac is planning for growth, potentially expanding its footprint to support increased demand. The goal is simple: provide customers with more choice without compromising on service.
If you want to know more about Southpac Trucks, visit them onsite at 96/98 Wiri Station Road, check out their website on www.spt.co.nz or call them on 09-262 3181.
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