About
Us.

At CAL, you drive us. We want your business to grow so you can do more. And we’ll be here to help you every step of the way.

Our History

Our history is relevant not because we want to talk about ourselves, but because it tells you a lot about who we are and what drives us.

Our position as one of New Zealand’s largest truck businesses was won by hard work and by a sense that we always had to challenge the status-quo.

It all started, not in a boardroom or an office, but on the front lawn of a state house in Hamilton where, following his passion for engines and love of getting some oil under his fingernails, Raman Parbhu started reconditioning and selling trucks.

As the business grew Ashok joined his brother and the business developed. As they added scale and ambition they first added used Japanese imports, then they added their first Isuzu dealership, then another and another. As part of this growth support services and facilities were developed to ensure exceptional service – and today CAL is one of New Zealand’s largest integrated commercial transport support companies.

It didn’t come easy, it has been built on hard work, and we’re not done yet. Our desire to be able to offer better service to anyone who uses a truck to make their living drives us. New Zealand Drives Us.

About us

Our
History.

Our history is relevant not because we want to talk about ourselves, but because it tells you a lot about who we are and what drives us.

Learn More

ASHOK PARBHU
Managing Director

1987

Commercial Autos Wreckers was established by Raman Parbhu as a small family business. He quickly built a reputation for buying and selling quality used Japanese trucks.

1992

Raman’s brother Ashok joined the business, bringing his extensive knowledge of accounting and commercial law. We were renamed to Commercial Autos Limited.

1996

CAL had grown rapidly and exploded into its new premises on State Highway 1, just north of Hamilton. With this move, came the expansion of the mechanical workshop. Speciality engineering, coach building plus panel and paint facilities added more benefits for our customers.

1997

Our family experienced the sudden and tragic loss of our founder, Raman. While this shook the team, Ashok managed to drive forward with Raman’s original vision. CAL continued to succeed despite the odds.

2008

The continued growth of CAL throughout the 2000s culminated in CAL securing the master Isuzu franchise for the Waikato region.

2012

CAL acquired Stevenson’s, TCL trucking operations in Auckland and the Northland region, securing our position as the leading truck retailer in New Zealand.

2016

We achieved record truck sales for our dealership with 704 new trucks sold. CAL ISUZU – Hamilton was also named “Metro Group Grandmaster” for the fourth year in a row. This is the highest General Motors dealership honour awarded globally.

2017

By 2017 we had sold over 3,760 new trucks in 10 years and were now the largest CAL>ISUZU dealership in New Zealand. We’re still about family and taking care of your needs first.

2019

We expanded our footprint in the Waiakto and Auckland regions by purchasing NZ Trucks from AB Equipment.

2020

Despite COVID-19 affecting the globe CAL>ISUZU was still successful in winning “Metro Group Grandmaster” for the eighth year in a row.

2021

CAL increased its footprint by purchasing land in Auckland in Allens Road, Tamaki. This is currently under development plans and we are very excited for its opening.

2022

It has been a year of change and growth for CAL. We opened a brand new, fully-fledged dealership in Whangarei to better service the Northland region.

As 2022 came to a close, we announced after 35 years that we are only just getting started – with a complete brand refresh. We also announced a new CAL>Engineering department, where our team can take any truck and make it better than ever.

Ashok Parbhu

Managing Director • Based in Hamilton

Ashok and brother Raman were the founders and cornerstone of CAL>ISUZU from its first days of the early 1980’s. Since Raman’s untimely passing in 1997, Ashok has been the sole owner and Managing Director of the growing trucking giant.

Ashok lives and breathes trucks and more importantly ISUZU trucks and he has gone out of his way to build a massively experienced and loyal team that has been with him for over 25 years of extraordinary success. Outside of the CAL gates you will find Ashok relaxing and enjoying time with his wife on their beautiful Waikato lifestyle block.

Shaneel Mandri

Group Engineering Manager

Shaneel has been in the automative industry for 20+ years. He joined the CAL team 16 years ago as a fitter welder, after completing his qualification as a mechanical engineer. He then went on to become a design engineer and lead designer, which progressed into a management role within CAL. More recently, Shaneel has moved from Engineering Manager, to Group Engineering Manager, expanding the Engineering department within CAL.

In his spare time, Shaneel enjoys fishing, golf and entering snooker competitions.

021 659 594

Steve Hoyne

Dealer Principal

Steve has been Dealer Principal for CAL Tauranga since 2017 with a long history in truck servicing and sales, beginning with a five-year petrol apprenticeship. He then moved over to diesel and worked in an Isuzu truck workshop before leaving to manage a car workshop. He returned to the trucking industry as a contract mechanic for the local Isuzu dealer and then took on the role of foreman and various positions. Steve joined CAL>Isuzu in 2008, his experience and knowledge have meant he has continued to be a crucial and relied upon member of the team.

021 0203 8366

Jared Keenan

Group Sales Manager

Jared Keenan joined the CAL>Isuzu team in September 2021 as Group Sales Manager. He has a long-standing passion for the truck industry having grown up in truck showrooms and workshops.

After a successful sales career outside of the transport industry Jared first joined CAL>Isuzu in 2016 as a new truck Sales Representative. With truck sales in the blood, he quickly developed a deep knowledge of Isuzu products, industry regulations and bodybuilding requirements.

Before returning home to CAL, Jared worked for several years in the European truck market, further developing his understanding of the many different industries our customers work in and how their needs vary. He enjoys building long lasting and productive relationships with customers at every level and now uses these skills to lead one of the highest performing sales teams in the country.

Outside of work Jared spends most of his time with his wife and three young children, but when time allows, he can be found riding a motorcycle or spending time in the great outdoors.

021 801 712

Alex Boles

Hamilton Branch Manager

Alex first joined CAL in 2012 when CAL acquired Stevenson’s TCL where he had worked since 2006 as an apprentice and had completed his road transport qualification in 2010.

After the acquisition, Ashok invited Alex to stay with CAL>Isuzu where he started as an Assistant Service Manager and then Service Manager. After some time in this position, Alex’s well-developed skills and knowledge of the trucking industry made him the prime candidate for the Hamilton Branch Manager role in April 2022.

Outside of work, Alex enjoys being outdoors and developing his lifestyle block.

021 641 987

Thomas Neylon

Branch Manager – Whangarei

Thomas joined the CAL>Isuzu team in December 2020 as a New Truck Sales Representative in the Auckland region, and in April 2023 stepped up to become the Branch Manager of CAL’s newest branch in Whangarei.

After cutting his teeth in a small private workshop, he moved to one of Auckland’s largest Franchise Dealerships, with a focus on American & European vehicle diagnostics & repairs. It was here he transitioned into sales with the Jeep & Ram Trucks brands, before making the switch to Heavy Vehicles & CAL>Isuzu.

With over 10 years’ experience in the automotive industry, Thomas has gained immense technical knowledge. He loves to work together with customers to find solutions for issues – no matter how big or how small.

Outside of work, Thomas is an avid golfer, follows all forms of motorsport, and loves spending time with his family.

021 371 305

Tewis Slabbert

Finance Manager

Tewis joined the CAL team after working as an accountant in the automotive and accounting industry for more than 10 years. With extensive experience as an accountant, Tewis is now excited to move into the role of Finance Manager. His passion has always been the automotive industry and enjoys how every day brings new and interesting challenges.

In his spare time, Tewis loves getting out into the great outdoors, whether that’s camping, fishing, or playing golf.

Afzer Zameer

Business Performance Manager

As our Business Performance Manager, Afzer makes sure that all of our core business functions run like clockwork.

Afzer has a wide range of experience within the finance industry and has held a variety of roles in industries including FMCG, manufacturing, public practice, and dairy. He has a passion for all things numbers and cares about creating great outcomes for our business and our customers.

Outside of work, he likes to spend his downtime relaxing at home and enjoying time with friends and family.

ENQUIRY

We give
a truck.

Whether you are requiring a full customised truck or some minor upgrades to your current vehicle, talk to us and we can work through this project with you.