Get Ready to Celebrate the Year of the Chinese Van
Chinese New Year is fast approaching and while for many that means it is time to herald the Zodiac Year of the Horse, one could argue it is destined to be the Year of the Van instead.
Indeed, anyone with even a passing interest in the automotive market will know the influx of Chinese brands in the passenger car market shows no sign of losing momentum.
From BYD to Jaecoo to Chery to Omoda to many, many more, Chinese origin marques have made a huge impact on the UK car market in the last couple of years.
As such, it stands to reason that this influence will extend to the commercial vehicle market and it’s already starting to happen with the arrival of the acclaimed Farizon SV, while there are murmurings that Chery will enter the ranks very soon too.
So, as we prepare to ring in the Chinese New Year, it’s time to take a closer look at Vansdirect’s Far Eastern line-up...
Maxus
While brands like BYD and Chery have only been around a short time, well-established commercial manufacturer Maxus pre-dates them by more than ten years.
Borne out of the remnants of now defunct British marque LDV, Maxus – which happened to be the name for one of LDV’s final models – has steadily expanded and modernised its range, while it has also taken a lead in promoting electric vans.
As such, it now offers four panel vans and two pick-up trucks in one of the most comprehensive line-ups in the commercial vehicle space.
Topping the panel van range is the Maxus Deliver 9, which has become a firm large van favourite thanks to its mix of useable practicality and wide choice of electric powertrains alongside punchy diesel engines.
Offering excellent value without skimping on a quality interior and generous specification, the Deliver 9 makes for a genuine Ford Transit alternative.
It’s a similar story across the rest of the range, where the Maxus Deliver 7 rivals the Ford Transit Custom – again with the choice of either diesel or petrol engines – while the electric Maxus eDeliver 5 and Maxus eDeliver 3 major on offering penny-pinching running costs while packing spacious load bays.
On the pick-up truck front, Maxus offers the choice of both diesel and electric powered models – the Maxus T60 MAX and Maxus eTerron 9 respectively.
Having two models vying for sales in the same size bracket might seem a touch foolish, but there is logic to Maxus’ strategy.
In a class where torquey pulling power, uncompromised payload capacity and endurance are key, Maxus accepts electric power is a harder sell to your average pick-up truck customer than one after an SUV.
As such, the eTerron 9 and T60 MAX – despite both going after the likes of the Ford Ranger et al. – are positioned very differently. The former is lavishly appointed, packs over 400bhp and goes 267 miles before needing a recharge but sacrifices some payload for the privilege.
The Maxus T60 MAX, on the other hand, is the conventional pick-up truck option. That means you’ll find a diesel engine under the bonnet, it has more durable materials to deflect rockier roads and goes toe-to-toe with the best for load carrying ability.
Farizon
A recent addition to the UK market, Farizon SV is the commercial vehicle arm of Geely, which can also count Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and LEVC among the brands it owns.
Leading its charge has been the Farizon SV, an electric van offered in five body sizes – which straddle both the medium and large van markets – to put it right up against both the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit.
Three batteries are available – 67kWh, 83kWh and 106kWh – returning a respective range of 188-miles, 234-miles and 247-miles, making the SV one of the most frugal electric vans on the market.
With some clever design touches, such as a ride-height that can be raised or lowered for better access, a wider side-door aperture and a payload monitoring system, the SV brings some fresh ideas to the party.
In short, if you’re already convinced electric is the way to go for your business, the Farizon SV should be added to your list of candidates.
And if you still need some convincing, then the SV could be the electric van to change your perceptions...
