Our aim is to 'Go Further', offering you exceptional service because YOU come first at Ocean Ford! On March 1, 2016, Stephen Hermansen became Dealer Principal of Ocean Ford on Commerce Street, Whakatane. After nine years of being a shareholder, Stephen, along with his wife Paula, purchased the remaining shares in Ocean Ford to become sole owners. Stephen believes the business is all about the people, offering fair deals and making sure people are looked after. Stephen’s focus is to continue moving the dealership forward and he believes the diversified market in the Eastern Bay will enable this to happen. With a fantastic product and a great team, Stephen says he knows the business will continue to grow. There are currently 19 team members at Ocean Ford and that number is set to increase. He plans to be continually improving the customer experience and there are plans in motion to upgrade the entire dealership. Stephen is dedicated to keeping Ford front and center locally and to remain as leaders of the industry in the area. Ocean Ford is the only locally owned vehicle franchise dealership in Whakatane - Stephen see’s this as a huge advantage, as you can’t beat personal service! The Ford Ranger is New Zealand’s #1 most sold vehicle and is definitely the most popular vehicle at Ocean Ford. Ocean Ford is basically your one-stop shop for all things Ford. Stocking new and used vehicles combined with exceptional Parts and Service departments to fully back up the product. Stephen’s background is Ford and its his passion - as far as vehicles are concerned, he says “his blood definitely runs blue”. Growing up in Dannevirke, he worked for a Ford dealership called KB Motors. Originally beginning his career as a car-groomer, he soon took up an apprenticeship and became a trade certified mechanic. KB Motors owner, Graham Bell, was instrumental to Stephen’s career. “He told me to have a think about what I wanted to do with my life and then come back to see him,” said Stephen. “I went back and told him I really wanted to have my own business. He said “in that case you need to get into sales - so that’s where he put me.”
Stephen left KB Motors in 1997 and moved to Mt Maunganui where he set up in business selling used cars. He became a specialist in selling used Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores until 2006 where he could see that having a franchise was the future of the automotive retail business. Fortunately, the opportunity arose in September 2008 and Stephen purchased 49 percent of Ocean Ford. He traveled from Mt Maunganui for a period before he and his family moved over in 2009.
“The Eastern Bay is definitely the place to be and now that I’ve realised my dream, Whakatane and Ocean Ford are the future for my family and myself,” Stephen says. Ocean Ford always has great deals and monthly specials on new vehicles, so pop in and have a look around. Also be sure to check out the latest WildTrack and the Ford Rangers FX4, Sport, XLT and XL on display.
