Toyota New Zealand’s parts division is industry leading, with parts supply rates shining throughout Covid-19 disruptions nationwide.
Toyota’s parts supply rate is at 95.1 percent, this doesn’t just cover new Toyota parts, it covers parts for used imports as well. If you need a part for a Toyota, new or used, and regardless of where the vehicle was purchased from, the numbers show Toyota can provide it, and in most cases overnight!
Michelle Povey, Manager of Parts and Operations, says over the past year or so they’ve found themselves in a unique situation compared to other parts suppliers.
“Late last year we purchased a lot of stock, we saw there could be some disruption with supply due to Covid-19 so we planned ahead.
“Our general policy is usually just in time, but we switched that up to just in case and we’ve actually made some really big wins as a result.
“In these times a supply rate of over 95 percent for OEM is huge, and this is not what you’re seeing elsewhere. Our message to trade garages now is don’t go to aftermarket suppliers, come straight to us we’ve got the parts stock,” she says.
Last year Toyota New Zealand topped the industry supply rate leader board twice.
“This is a massive achievement for us considering the volumes or parts we stock and distribute, not to mention the variety. For maintenance parts alone our supply rate is 96.8 percent, and we’re supplying around 14,000 separate parts a month.
“I don’t think there’s widespread knowledge of just how big our warehouse operation is, how much space there is and how many parts we hold there. Whenever anyone visits, they’re just blown away by the scale of our operation, she says.”
Toyota New Zealand’s parts division is run from its warehouse in Palmerston North. At over 37 thousand square metres, the warehouse services all corners of the country. At any one-time Toyota can have up to 50 thousand different parts on hand. The parts are dispatched overnight to our Toyota Stores in all corners of the country via Post Haste, and for larger parts via Mainfreight.

Collision parts
Toyota New Zealand also focuses strongly on its collision parts.
Michelle Povey says last year the team was tasked with improving the supply rate in collision parts.
“We classed all the parts and then realised for a few high demand items we were a bit short, so we built up bumpers, panels, windscreens and parts that move fast, increasing inventory by 58%.
“Our increase in stock was rewarded with sales, we have found people are coming to us as their first option. We’re also seeing a lot more collision insurance quotes, so our strategy is working,” she says.
Michelle says the feedback from repair customers speaks for itself.
“Aside from the numbers it’s important for us to get this right so we can look after our Toyota vehicle owners, if you’ve had a collision there’s nothing more frustrating than your vehicle being out of action for longer than it needs to be. Having the right parts on hand is all about being able to get our Toyota drivers back on the road as quickly as possible as well, it’s a key focus for us.
“If you have a breakdown, if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision, we’ll have the part you need and will be able to give you a really good estimate for arrival time. For the most part we are dispatching these parts overnight to Stores from our warehouse in Palmerston North,” she says.