Martin Harwood exits car business after more than 50 years

Auckland-based EV dealer Martin Harwood has closed Harwood Cars after more than 50 years in the industry, citing COVID-19’s impact and other factors.

But Harwood isn’t ditching EVs altogether, intending to operate an EV consultancy to provide the benefits of his experience and knowledge to others.

The turning point came for Martin and wife Lorna when they failed to sell a single EV in January this year – although they did sell one in the first week of February.

“In over 50 years involvement in the car business I’ve never had a month like it,” he says of the January result.

Harwood didn’t renew the lease on Harwood Cars’ this year, saying COVID-19 is what really did the damage.

“We just couldn’t recover,” he says, pointing to pandemic restrictions here and overseas.

While Harwood reckons “the tide is out” on EVs at present he can see a new wave of interest coming.

He’s critical of the previous coalition government announcing in mid-2019 its intention to introduce a “feebate” scheme under a proposed Clean Car plan announced by then associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter, saying that stopped many potential customers who decided to wait for discounts and other incentives.

“And it’s still being talked about,” says Harwood who doesn’t expect much action this year either.

“Everyone’s talking about what will happen in five to 10 years’ time – but nothing much has been said about what will happen this year.”

Harwood has been involved with EVs for about six years now and was among the pioneers of the EV industry here with friend and former business partner Henry Schmidt of Autolink Cars in Newmarket some of the first to bring in EVs.

He specialised mainly in the Nissan Leaf, brought in from Japan.