A healthy local economy

General manager Richard Bussenschutt said the growth of the company over the last decade has been excellent.

“If numbers are up here that means the town is sustaining itself, I think it’s a good indication,” Mr Bussenschutt said.

“I think us having good results is a reflection on the town’s progression. We’re certainly seeing the local area growing because the farmers are doing well.”

Over the past 10 years the business has increased its staff by one third.

“We sponsor every football club on the Yorke Peninsula, there are nine clubs and we contribute by sponsoring each club to support the area. The more support we get by people buying cars from us the better support we can give back,” he said.

Gunnings automotive group took on the Isuzu brand with the intention of supplying vehicles that met the needs of locals in the Kadina region. Mr Bussenschutt said the models have been well taken up by farmers.

All of the new Isuzu models have the same three-litre four-cylinder motor, which supplies 130kW of power, or 380Nm of torque. They are rated for towing up to three and a half tonnes.

“Over the last 10 to 15 years that I’ve been doing the job, those specs are what everyone, and particularly local farmers, have been asking for. People have wanted the three-litre motor, the towing capacity and the range.

“And the diesel of course, you have to have a diesel if you’re going out into a paddock.”

There are cheaper Isuzu variants without the “bells and whistles”, which make a good choice for an affordable paddock workhorse and the new diesel range is more fuel efficient than older models.

“The technology in the newer motors is dramatically better in fuel economy and emissions, so they release fewer gases than the older models, and have better environmental impact,” Mr Bussenschutt said.

“They are good for towing across the range of utes and that’s one of the reasons we took Isuzu on.”

Mr Busenschutt said the company had a good connection with local farmers.