A former manager of the New Zealand Falcons rugby team, and a familiar face who has welcomed you to Urge Events dance parties over the past decade, Robert Barry has made a career pivot from motoring journalism into selling new and used vehicles for Tristram, Premium Automotive Care.
Although based in the Tristram Škoda showroom on Hillside Road, Wairau Valley, Robert can sell any new vehicle from the company’s family of brands, including Volkswagen, MG, Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, GMSV, Isuzu Ute, Hyundai, JAC utes, and Renault commercials.
“After 22 years in automotive journalism, it was time for a change. I’d pretty much worked from home from the first COVID lockdown in 2020, and I missed working in a team environment with a great bunch of people,” Robert says.
“It was an opportunity to put my knowledge of cars and the automotive industry to good use, while also having a bit of fun, which is very important in any role.”
“I’m very happy to say that two months in, I have found my tribe. We’re a very family-oriented automotive retailer. The owner of the company, Mark Hayward, is joined by his sons Cruz in sales, and Austin who manages the tyre shop. Mark’s mother and sister also work in the business.
“We’re professional but we’re not corporate. We wear branded polo shirts rather than a shirt and tie. We like to make our customers feel comfortable in the retail environment. If you wander into the dealership wearing boardies and jandals, we’re not going to look down our noses at you — we’re more likely going to offer you a coffee.
“Much like the diverse group of people I work with, our customers are equally diverse, and all have quite different needs.”
“I sold a $17,000 VW Polo to an excited 16-year-old girl who had a freshly minted restricted driver’s licence, a new Chery Tiggo 4 to a young gay couple buying their first car together, a new Golf R Black Edition to a couple downsizing from a 7-seat SUV, and a Škoda Kamiq Monte Carlo to a lovely lady as her retirement car.
“The lovely thing about this role is the ability to help people. I’m a consultative salesperson. I don’t want to pressure people into buying the wrong car — I want to make sure that we find the best solution for our customers.
“And if we don’t have the right vehicle on the yard, then we’ll find one. We often sell cars on behalf of our customers or buy them back outright. There is a big demand right now for low-mileage three- to five-year-old Škoda Kodiaqs, so I’m on the hunt for these for several customers.
“We are a one-stop shop. Not only does Tristram offer new and used vehicles, but also the full range of financial services, including insurance, paint protection and interior protection, and personalised plates. Furthermore, our service department can look after all makes and models, and we have our own in-house collision repairer and tyre shop.
“Tristram places great importance on its partnerships in giving back to the community that supports it, and you’ll see one of our vehicles playing a supporting role in the Rainbow Pride Parade next February.”
Tristram are also proud partners of: CML Racing, Flight Path, Harcourts Cooper and Co, Hibiscus Coast Cricket, Milford Tennis, North Harbour Club, North Harbour Water Polo, Ponsonby Rugby Club, Pupuke Golf Course, R Flagship Marine, and St Cuthbert’s College.
