A Chinese carmaker has revealed the dealer network from which its vehicles will be sold and it includes a location in east Auckland.
Omoda is headquartered in Wuhan, China, and was launched in 2022 as a division of the state-owned automobile manufacturer Chery.
The company says it’s “inching closer” toward its launch in New Zealand with 12 dealers being confirmed and further announcements coming soon.
Omoda New Zealand network development manager Wayne Wei says it has 11 dealers across the North Island one in the South Island.
It’s entered into agreements with a well-respected established dealer network for each region, he says.
“All the appointed dealers will offer sales, service and spares for all new Omoda owners.”
Omoda New Zealand country manager Sheldon Humphries says: “For launch in 2024, I believe we are well represented in the North Island.
“Phase two of the dealer set-up would see more focus on the South Island.
“Our goal is to create customer confidence by having a well-established dealer network representing Omoda across New Zealand.”
The company’s vehicles will be sold locally at the Winger Motor Group dealership in East Tamaki.
Omoda New Zealand is accepting expressions of interest for dealer representation in three South Island cities.
“Omoda NZ is extremely excited to work with this dealer network,” the company says.
“They bring a wealth of experience and are trusted in their local communities.
“Having a dealer network of this calibre supporting Omoda owners will add confidence for new owners.”
The company expects to have Omoda showrooms’ exterior branding completed in February, 2024.
New Zealand showrooms will be branded ‘Omoda Jaecoo’ to allow for the introduction of Jaecoo vehicles later next year.
The first Omoda vehicles available in New Zealand will be the C5, its SUV model, and the E5, the fully electric variant of the C5.
The C5 is available with a 1.5-litre or 1.6ltr turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, while the E5 is powered by an electric motor that offers a range of up to 450km.
Additional Omoda models are planned for 2024.
The range will include internal-combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles.
