Busy two years for Kadina automotive business

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TWO years ago, the keys to Gunnings Automotive Group were placed into the hands of Sam McInnes as he became dealer principal of the Kadina business. 

Originally from Adelaide, Mr McInnes had worked with Toyota in the corporate space for more than 10 years in Adelaide, Melbourne and Japan but decided South Australia was the place to be. 

The group owns Peninsula Toyota, Peninsula Kia, Peninsula Isuzu Ute and now Peninsula Mazda. 

Looking back on the past two years, Mr McInnes could only describe it as “busy”. 

“We made a lot of changes early on, but fortunately, things have settled down over the past six to eight months, with very few changes needed,” he said. 

He said the team had welcomed an in-house finance manager to help customers with their financing needs.

“We have a great team, and we’ve had a bit more fun and most recently getting out down the leg,” Mr McInnes said.

He said staff had been more active in the local community, while the business had expanded its sponsorship of sporting clubs across Yorke Peninsula, including football and bowls clubs.

Earlier this year, Peninsula Toyota welcomed ambassador Nick “Muz” Murray from the Adelaide Crows Football Club.

“He’s been following us around to different footy clubs to do clinics together and then Men’s Sheds and a few other places,” Mr McInnes said. 

Muz grew up on a farm in New South Wales and now runs a sheep property near Strathalbyn with former teammate Ned McHenry.

“He’s typically driving a header or something similar when he’s not playing footy and that’s his heritage,” Mr McInnes said.

“When he comes up here, he’s more in tune to what the locals are living and breathing every day and that’s been great because you can leave him alone and he knows how to talk to people.

“He’s just a great character with those good principles and it’s good representation for our community.”

Mr McInnes said Peninsula Toyota prided itself on being a local, people-focused business, and the Peninsula Toyota team thanked customers and the wider community for their ongoing support.

“We’re looking forward to what’s next,” he said.