New country manager appointed for GWM New Zealand

GWM has appointed Cameron Thomas as its new Country Manager for New Zealand, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to local leadership in the Kiwi market.

The announcement came from GWM Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer, John Kett. He said the move aligns with the company’s goal of building a stronger local identity.

Kett said: “We’re pleased to confirm the appointment of Cameron Thomas as the new Country Manager for GWM New Zealand.

Cameron brings extensive industry experience and proven leadership from his time at Ford.

“His appointment represents another important step in GWM’s long-term commitment to the New Zealand market.

“This move aligns with our previously stated ambition — that we must look, sound, and feel like a Kiwi brand. Having local leadership on the ground is essential to building trust and maintaining strong connections with our customers and dealers.

“Our dealer network is engaged in the brand, and we’re confident that Cameron will play a pivotal role in leading GWM’s next phase of growth in New Zealand.”

Thomas brings more than 20 years of sales, marketing and leadership experience, including a significant tenure at Ford New Zealand. There he most recently held the role of Network Strategy Director. He was appointed to that position in early 2025 after nearly a decade as Ford New Zealand’s Director of Marketing. That was a period in which the Ford Ranger became New Zealand’s top-selling vehicle.

As part of his February promotion he was made a director of Ford’s local operations.

At Ford, Thomas led the development of retail and brand strategy, and oversaw a $800m annual revenue operation. He was also instrumental in initiatives such as the Ford Influencer Program and the company’s approach to Clean Car Standard-aligned product strategies.