Marque becomes expo partner

LDV New Zealand, recently acquired by Inchcape NZ, has become the official vehicle partner for the Asian Construction Expo on November 4 in south Auckland. 

Inchcape expanded its presence in this country in early August, growing its distribution footprint and entering retail operations.

The company acquired the distribution and vehicle-leasing operations, welcoming LDV and SsangYong as brand partners. 

In doing so, Inchcape also entered retail operations in New Zealand with five owned dealerships in Auckland, Taupo, Wellington and Christchurch. 

Two months after the acquisition, the LDV brand is forging new relationships with this partnership providing it with an opportunity to connect with the Asian construction community. 

At this one-day event at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre, product suppliers, councils, regulatory bodies and industry leaders join Asian architects, designers, builders, electricians, developers and other specifiers to collaborate, learn and explore business opportunities. 

What sets the Asian Construction Expo apart from other industry events is that it offers a complete strategy to reach the New Zealand Asian construction market. 

Inchcape sees it as the perfect platform for LDV NZ to showcase its T60 bi-turbo double-cab ute, and Deliver 3 and Deliver 9 vans. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions of these models will be the focal point on the day to showcase the marque’s electrification range to the commercial market. 

The LDV range will be displayed to audience members who consider their vehicle a tool of their trade and need a reliable, purpose-led ute or van to get their job done.

Daile Stephens, LDV NZ’s head of brand marketing, considers it a real coup for the brand to be partnering with the Asian Construction Expo for the first time. 

“LDV offers New Zealand’s largest range of commercials to keep Kiwi businesses moving,” she says. “With the recent Inchcape acquisition of the distribution of the LDV brand, this is an opportunity to showcase it in new and exciting environments.

“As the construction industry has strong Asian representation, this is an ideal event to be paired with as the official vehicle partner to reach decision-makers and influencers from this community.

“The expo will also enable attendees to take advantage of some serious savings on new LDVs, and is a great opportunity to see our electric range of vans and New Zealand’s only BEV ute – our eT60 – in the flesh.”

Ian Watt, general manager of the CMS Group, the parent company behind the Asian Constriction Expo, is thrilled to be partnering with LDV. 

He says: “There are many synergies with our brands including our shared commitment to supporting the Asian construction community with the materials, equipment and expert advice it needs.” 

LDV has New Zealand’s sole electric ute, the eT60, pictured above. With a recommended retail price of $79,990, it qualifies for the maximum $7,015 rebate under the clean car discount rebate.

The ute’s 150kW and 310Nm motor is partnered with an 88.55kWh battery, which produces a WLTP test range of up to 325km and a fast charge of 80 per cent in 40 minutes when using a DC charger. 

LDV’s smaller electric van, the eDeliver 3, was the first purpose-built mainstream electric van to go on sale here. Designed from the ground up for electric power only, it is compact, lightweight and can carry 905kg. 

The eDeliver 3 comes with a 90kW/255Nm motor, AC/DC charging options and a 50.23kWh battery. The width of the compartment is 1,665mm. Its cargo area offers ease of loading and 4.8 cubic metres in capacity. 

The next size up in LDV’s electric van range is the eDeliver 9. It comes with a 150kW/310Nm motor and two battery configurations – 51.5 and 88.55kWh with AC and DC charging as standard. 

Available in three models, the van’s large load area offers 9.66m3 of volume in the BIG model, which extends to 10.97m3 in the BIGGER model.

The third option is the eDeliver 9 Cab Chassis, which leaves a blank canvas on which business owners can build a cargo area to suit their needs. Designed for comfort, not just pulling power, this model is packed with advanced safety features and all the latest tech.