Motoring man Philip just loves NDE
'Business is good in Dundee and we hope to ensure that we continue.'
It is great when you hear some say that Dundee is ‘such a nice, clean positive place where things work’. We spend so much time complaining that maybe we do miss the good things on offer.
Philip Hawkins is one of those newcomers to town who just loves Dundee. He arrived here in December from Harrismith to take up the appointment of dealer principal FedAuto.
A positive man, Philip hails from the Eastern Cape and he has been with the motor trade for over 35 years. Interestingly enough he also had a four-year spell in the SA merchant navy – his coastal background in East London made sure there was a bit of salt in the blood as well as oil! His dad was a mechanic so there was always a ‘motoring twist’ to his family.
After a fleeting spell in Grahamstown as Dealer Principal with Volkswagen, Philip again went up north to join FedAuto back in Harrismith before coming to Northern KZN.
Philip has worked his way up in the motor trade, starting as parts/telesales person with Mercedes before making the trek into the interior to Bloemfontein as parts manager with Delta (now known as General Motors).
In 2001, he went over to sales and in 2007 he broadened his scope as Dealer Principal, General Motors (Peter James Motors) in Harrismith. After a fleeting spell in Grahamstown as Dealer Principal with Volkswagen, Philip again went up north to join FedAuto back in Harrismith before coming to Northern KZN.
“Dundee is great – things work here – trust me, things are not easy in Harrismith with power failures and other issues,” he said. Philip describes himself as a team player who likes to be ‘hands-on’.
“I love getting involved with the community where we live and have already had our Ford team doing walks and attending the recent car show at Hattingspruit.” He was a Rotarian in Harrismith and hopes to soon become part of the Dundee Club. “Business is good in Dundee and we hope to ensure that we continue. We have some new personnel here and would love motorists to also support our workshop which we believe can offer top service.”
Philip has one son who lives in England and with his positive nature, he is sure to bring more energy to the town.
