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Toyota National Parts Distribution Centre Opening

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Image

Description: These images were taken for the Tribune weekly newspaper but may not have been published as no article was identified. The negatives had no accompanying information beyond the year ‘1978’.

They depict the opening of the Toyota National Parts Distribution Centre in Robert’s Line. Although the images appear not to have been published in the Tribune, similar images were published in the Evening Standard, including one which was captioned: “THE BIG venture that never came off. That was the multi-million dollar BorgWarner automotive parts plant in Roberts Line. But the site was taken over by Consolidated Motor Distribution, a Toyota franchise holder, and today a 1000-square-metre warehouse was opened by Mr N. Araki, vice-president of Toyota Motor Sales, Japan. The Mayor, Mr Brian Elwood, said the opening was one of the high points of his political career, and an example of how a city could accommodate significant growth. The parts distribution centre employs 30 people at present, and has $7 million worth of spare parts in stock. The total cost of the centre is expected to reach $2 million.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.