Car Sales, New, Used, Fleet, Buyers, Assistant Sales Managers, Finance and Insurance Sales, Sales Managers.
Includes: Heavy Transport and Heavy Equipment Sales Personnel

Wage and Salary rates as at May 2011.

Please note: as Automotive Employment NZ Ltd is involved with new hires, these rates are for new hires not existing employees. We have attempted to be as accurate as possible and to provide guidelines for the most popular sectors of the New Zealand motor industry but take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Any hiring decision should be based on a range of knowledge from a variety of sources.

Please also check the date the last salary review was completed as salary rates obviously change over a period of time.

It is possible our opinion will differ from other independent surveys however the information is based on actual hires occurring through Automotive Employment NZ Ltd. All rates assume experience in a specific fields of expertise and where applicable the relevant industry qualifications.

Employees should note that while these rates may provide a guide, to gain an accurate indication of rates you may need to consider how your skills and experience compare to others in the work place. Your work performance, stability of overall employment, knowledge of product, development of your skills and or qualifications, personal grooming, communication skills and the length of service you have extended to your current employer may all impact on potential earnings. These aspects of your employment should also be weighed against the economic conditions prevailing in the location you work or intend to move to.

Used and New Vehicle Sales
Average earnings $55,000 to $130,000 dependant on ability

Like many OECD countries, income for vehicle sales roles are dependent on performance as a high level of income is usually at risk or commission based. Packages vary considerably between dealerships and range from commission only to a variety of retainer and commission.

Here are some examples below but many variations exist, particularly so when dealerships are attempting to secure absolute top end skills.

$25,000 to $35,000 plus 10% Used vehicles [Norm $30'000 retainer]
$30,000 to $40,000 plus 10% New vehicles [Norm $30'000 to $3500 retainer]
20% Commission only

More recently national vehicle distributors have stepped in to the equation with some offering incentives to sales staff such as clothing vouchers, motor racing events and more.

Dealerships bonuses are now also becoming the norm in addition to normal commissions with many providing a lump sum financial bonus for the achievement of volume or profit based bonuses.

In summary this sector of the market is moving in terms of financial remuneration for the first time in many years, this has continued throughout the more difficult trading periods of 2008 and 2009 through to the recovery in 2010. 2011 has proven challenging when it comes to securing talent at the upper end of the scale, this will likely impact on the future earning of skilled and experienced professionals as demand increases.

Fleet Sales
Average earnings $65000 to $130'000 dependant on ability

Retainers range from $32,000 to $60,000 for top end established fleet sales personnel. Commissions range in both complexity of the structure offered by various dealerships and the results provided by the fleet sales person.

Full use of company car supplied with reasonable use of petrol, the vehicle is usually a company demonstrator. In the prestige sector sales staff often sell both new and used. Often fleet sales personnel work a five day week however in recent times some roles involve relieving new vehicle sales personnel on a roistered basis.

Used Vehicle Buyers
Median Total income $100,000

Approximately $45,000 retainer is common with a percentage of the retained profit in each vehicle dependant on the length of time it has remained on the yard. Used vehicle buyers in New Zealand often source stock from both New Zealand and off shore. In the non-franchise sector Japanese imports have been brought into New Zealand since 1983. Imported vehicles are a mature market in NZ with highly advanced online vehicle auctions linked directly into auctions in Japan or Singapore and now also within NZ. Overall remuneration generally exceeds $80,000 plus, however, seasoned used vehicle buyers often achieve incomes greatly exceeding this amount, particularly when employed on contract.

Finance and Insurance Sales Staff
Median income $90,000

Retainers are generally around the $35,000 to $55,000 mark. A percentage of profits from each finance and insurance deal, usually 8 to 10% are payable however there are many variants on this. Current incomes are between $70,000 and $120,000 P/A, although top finance and insurance professionals may exceed these earnings.

Assistant Sales Managers
Median income $90,000

Usually a retainer approaching $45 to $50'000 is common with a profit share of the department's profits provides an overall income of around $90,000 to $100'000 in the present market.

Sales Managers New and Used
Median $110,000

Dependant on the size of the dealership and the skills of the sales manager, retainers of $50,000 to $85,000 are common. Overall income is usually between $90,000 and $150,000 PA.

A "decent drive car" is often expected by the employee with few limits if any on fuel etc. These roles in NZ come with high expectations in terms of employee performance. Employees at the top end of the market are often provided with incremental fringe benefits to reduce the chances of moving employers once they have a proven track record.

Truck and Heavy Equipment Sales

Retainers are usually a lot higher in this field for sales staff commencing at $40,000 and rising as high as $80,000. Overall income is between $70,000 and $150,000 dependant on experience. It is not unheard of to hear of total income earnings for top performers exceeding $150'000, particularly in the forklift and construction equipment sectors. Long term client relationships often equal equipment sales in this area and it is not uncommon for companies to reward top sales staff disproportionately when compared to other roles in a heavy transport/equipment dealership. In the franchise transport sector commissions vary between 10% and 15% of retained profit.

Truck and Heavy Equipment Sales Managers

Due to the rarity of these positions emerging we do not often make these placements. On the occasions when we have placed heavy transport and equipment sales managers the retainers were in the vicinity of $75,000 to $85,000 with profit share providing an income between $110,000 and $160,000.

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