Throughout the documents, smaller utes such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger were ruled out due to past experience.
“Hiluxes and Rangers have been used while [an existing] Chevrolet has been out of action for a long series of repairs.”
“Experienced drivers have found the use of these vehicles to challenging, especially during adverse weather conditions.”
In an email summarising Niwa’s options sent to the Chief Executive on September 14 2023, the staffer praised American-built “Super Towers”, saying his position had changed from favouring the Isuzu-style heavy trucks.
“The format and comfort of the vehicle is very important,” the staffer wrote, “to illustate, while the Isuzu F Series truck can easily tow our largest boats, it is uncomfortable, hard to drive… and frankly useless in doing anything but towing a boat.”
“Once at a destination a truck would need to be parked in a very specific location (truck parking bays are not that common), and there is no way to then commute from the hotel to wharf or dinner locations etc.”
In reviewing smaller options, the staffer wrote:
“While a Hilux has the same towing capacity as an old Landcruiser 79 – for anything over 2.5 tons it is simply not safe to drive.”
“I have concluded that we are best to purchase direct replacements for the 5x super towers:
- 2x RAM 2500/3500 utes or equivalent.
- 3x Toyota Landcruiser V8 79s which Toyota have recently announced will be back in production in 2024″.
Between this email, and another dated December 1 2023, the staffer solidified their position on American “Super Towers” and appeared to go cold on Toyotas, suggesting four RAM 3500 or Chevrolet Silverado HD LTZ utes would be the best option.
While the Chevrolet was considered as part of a document titled “Super-tower recommendations” on February 2 2023 – it was never recommended over the RAM 3500.
However, the staffer revealed to the Chief Executive:
“You will see that the RAM 3500 is not available until next year while the Silverado is available now – and is considerably cheaper. We therefore recommend placing an order for the Silverado”, the email wrote.
Newshub couldn’t find a price for the RAM 3500, the next model down is currently retailing for $195,990 in New Zealand.
The Chevrolet Silverado utes retail at $172,000 each, however the final price paid by Niwa has been withheld due to commercial sensitivities.
Niwa is standing by its decision to purchase the Silverados.
In answers to written questions, Niwa said the utes were chosen as they best met their requirements and were available.
“RAMs were not available until the end of 2024 and were much more expensive”.
A fifth towing vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser, was due to be purchased when the right models became available in New Zealand, however, a Niwa spokesperson confirmed this has not yet been purchased.
Emissions and image
One of the criticisms Niwa faced when their purchase was revealed was the emissions created by big American utes.
The Niwa staffer reviewing the options knew this would be an issue and tried to mitigate the reputational damage as best as possible.
“While we acknowledge there is a mandate for Niwa to move to lower emission vehicles and that a large American ute is not the image that Niwa wishes to project, our combined experience continues to tell us that the best and safest vehicle option for our larger boats still falls into the “Super Tower” category.
“It is possible to ‘soften the look’ of a RAM by optioning the utes to have their large (in-your-face) badges and unnecessary external options removed and NIWA could consider not signwriting the vehicles.”
“The white RAMs are less conspicuous than the black or red versions.”