Mike McCausland
Southland Izuzu Sales
Born in New Zealand, raised in Nigeria, and educated in Irish and British boarding schools - by the time he finished school Mike McCausland had travelled through Heathrow Airport 32 times.
That's probably why, at age 21 he landed in New Zealand, determined to learn how to fly, with the full intention of flying away again as soon as he was licensed to do so. On the first day Mike met his future wife, and while he did go on to get a pilot license, New Zealand was home thereafter. It's here he raised two now-grown up sons, and he wouldn't have changed a second of it. If there's a unifying theme in his life - it's combustion engines. Planes, cranes, jet boats and trucks - they've all featured at one time or another. In 2008 Mike took a five year sabbatical from motor vehicle sales to drive 27 tonne concrete trucks - which has made him the perfect ambassador for Southland Izuzu. |
Izuzu Motors, he explains, are Japan's oldest vehicle manufacturer and they have long and proud history.
They are the largest producer of diesel engines in the world: "so they know what they are doing - they have been building them since 1935." Izuzu still firmly regard themselves as heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers. "The utes we have here are simply the smallest trucks Isuzu manufacture. They are built to do a big job for a long time very, very economically - everything is heavy duty in an Izuzu." Mike's enthusiasm is both real and infectious. "I wouldn't be here now if I didn't believe 100% in the product - and five years away from sales reminded me how much I enjoy working with people. "Everyone has a story, all you have to do is listen." |