Dealership firm in liquidation

The company behind a former car dealership in Hamilton has been put into liquidation as it owes more than $1.1 million to unsecured creditors, including nearly $1.09m in unpaid taxes.

Keppler (Hamilton) Limited, formerly known as Keppler Auto Plant Limited and KVI (2012) Limited, was placed into liquidation at the High Court at Hamilton on October 6.

The firm established a dealership in Hamilton in 1993, which was most recently run by brothers Sean and Aaron Keppler and held GWM and Mahindra franchises. The Companies Register shows the brothers and their father, John Keppler, are the three co-directors.

The dealership and its site at Te Kowhai East Road, Hamilton, was sold in March this year to Honda Store Waikato, which is part of Tauranga Motor Company Limited. 

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Insolvency and Trustee Service has been appointed liquidator of Keppler and released its first report on November 7.

It shows the Inland Revenue Department, which is owed $1.09m, took the matter to the High Court. Other creditors include asset financier, Flexicommercial, consumer debt recovery company, Indebted, and Quaywest Panel & Paint.

“The cause of this liquidation appears to be related to a failure to account for taxation,” the report says. 

“The liquidator is in the process of establishing communication with the director to obtain the company’s financial statements and a statement of affairs. 

“In the meantime, the liquidator is conducting searches and investigations through various databases and other avenues to locate any assets of interest that are of benefit for creditors in this liquidation.”

The report notes the prospect of creditors getting any money back is unlikely.