LDV breaks 1,000 sales for 2016

LDV New Zealand has taken the lead spot in the New Zealand market as the country’s fasting growing van brand. Sales for LDV vans were up 117 percent on 2015, bringing the total 2016 sales to 1,032 units. The only automotive brand to exceed LDV’S percentage increase was the supercar brand Mclaren, which increased from nine units in 2015 to 24 units in 2016 – half of which were demonstrator registrations. “We are very pleased with the growth LDV New Zealand has enjoyed in 2016,” says LDV New Zealand spokesperson Warren Willmot. “Of course, the product is great, the pricing is on point and our marketing strategy has been favourably received. Our biggest strength is our people, and our mantra of “working harder everyday” is embraced by everyone in our organisation. It’s not just the vehicles,” says Wilmot. “LDV has been represented in the New Zealand market in its current form for just three years, having officially launched here in January 2014. We’re competing with vehicle brands that have been in New Zealand for over 100 years,” he says. “In that shor t space of time we have achieved phenomenal success and our brand now accounts for 16 percent market share of the new van segment. That’s the highest market share for LDV vans anywhere in the world, and with such a rapid increase in such a shor t timeframe, it’s probably the fastest growth any brand has achieved in New Zealand’s recent automotive history.” 2017 will continue to be an exciting time for the commercial brand as LDV New Zealand sees the arrival of large electric vans, a complete range of all-new one tonne utes and an SUV. “In my opinion, it’s the most exciting brand to be involved with and will cer tainly continue to be a disruptor in the van market,” says Willmot. “We’re focussed on offering solutions for businesses, not just selling vehicles. The market has voted with its support and our customers are our best salespeople.” LDV (formerly known as Leyland-daf Vehicles) is now par t of the Chinese state owned SAIC Motor Group. SAIC Motor is the largest automaker in China and one of the largest vehicle manufactures in the world, having partnerships with several Western brands including General Motors. With US$106.7 billion in revenue, SAIC climbed to number 46 on the Global For tune 500 list of companies in 2016. Aside from producing components like engines, gearboxes, and powertrains, the company also covers the research, production and vehicle sales of both passenger and commercial vehicles. LDV is represented in New Zealand by Great Lake Motor Distributors Ltd, a 100 percent Kiwi owned company which also distributes the Korean marque Ssangyong.