Maxus welcomes new dealership to its growing network

The Harris Group appoints Brighton-based Rivervale Cars Ltd to its expanding dealer network.

June 2020:

MAXUS UK & Ireland has announced the addition of Rivervale Cars Ltd to its network of dealerships as part of the company’s expansion plans for 2020 and beyond.

Rivervale Cars Ltd, a well-respected name in both the passenger car and commercial vehicle industry, is a family-run company with over three decades of experience in the dealer space who opened the first leasing dealership in the UK at the back end of 2016.

As well as leasing, the company has specialised in used vehicle sales and aftersales through a state-of-the-art Bosch branded on-site service centre. Now, through its partnership with MAXUS, and trading as Rivervale MAXUS, the company will specialise in brand-new commercial vehicle sales, including eLCVs.

Based on the outskirts of Brighton, Rivervale will bring the MAXUS brand to customers in the surrounding areas of Sussex, Kent and parts of Hampshire. The company has appointed LCV specialist Rob Semple to head up MAXUS sales for the region. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Rob will be on hand to ensure professional advice and recommendations to all MAXUS customers at the Rivervale dealership.

Big year for Maxus

Distributed in the UK and Ireland by Dublin-based The Harris Group, 2020 has already been an historic year for MAXUS, having rebranded from its original LDV moniker in April. MAXUS also launched two brand-new platform vehicles this month; the MAXUS DELIVER 9, the brand’s new flagship LCV, and the e DELIVER 3 – a fully electric medium-size van which clocks 200 miles in a single charge.

Speaking about the partnership with MAXUS, Neil Chapman, CEO of Rivervale Cars Ltd group, said: “We are joining this exciting brand at a pivotal moment when the demand for electric powered LCVs is on a steep upward trajectory and interest in EV automotive is huge”. Vince Pemberton, COO of the group added: “Through Rivervale Leasing we have seen the demand for electric vans increase. This year alone, we know that over 20% of our LCV leasing enquiries have been on electric vans And now, following the launch of the new platform e DELIVER 3, we anticipate this to be the EV that will really drive further demand.”

Mark Barrett, GM of Harris Automotive Distributors UC (MAXUS/LDV), commented: “2020 has been a huge year for MAXUS, not only can we offer customers even more variety with the launch of our DELIVER 9 and e DELIVER 3, but we are also expanding our network of dealers, ensuring greater nationwide coverage and easy access to a MAXUS van. Each of our dealers has an impressive track record and none more so than Rivervale Cars Ltd.  We extend a warm welcome to Neil, Vince, Rob and the entire team at Rivervale MAXUS and look forward to what I’m sure will be a successful future ahead as our partnership gets underway.”

MAXUS Dealerships

• Today, the Harris Group represents the MAXUS brand in a total of seven territories, including the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Malta and Cyprus.

• There are almost 30 dealers in the UK (including Rivervale Cars Ltd) with 24 in the Republic of Ireland (exclusive of service-only dealers).

• Contact Rivervale MAXUS at www.rivervalemaxus.co.uk

The name behind MAXUS

Innovative, thought-leading and future-focused, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) is the name behind MAXUS and is the largest automotive company in China. Based in Shanghai, SAIC produces almost seven million vehicles each year for both domestic and international markets and is a Fortune Global 500 listed company of almost 100,000 employees. 

The Harris Group acts as the sole distributor for SAIC in the UK, Ireland and across right-hand drive Europe.

SAIC has a number of well-known brands within its portfolio including, since 2010, the acclaimed MAXUS (formerly LDV) range of LCVs. SAIC has invested more than €2 billion in this brand, with a strong focus on safety, innovation and the introduction of new products to the range, including a suite of EVs that are already setting the standard for the future of eco-fuelled commercial motoring.