SAIC-owned Maxus has positioned itself at the forefront of the drive towards electrification in the LCV sector with the launch of its eDeliver 3 compact van and eDeliver 9 large van, as well as taking the bold step of introducing the first electric pick-up truck to the market in the shape of the T90EV.
The eDeliver 7 medium van is set to be its most significant BEV launch to date, however, when it joins the market’s highest-volume segment n January 2024.
Maxus unveiled its eDeliver 7 panel van at the Commercial Vehicle Show in April 2023. It will sit between the eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9 in the brand’s line-up. For the third year running, Maxus presented only electric vehicles on its stand.
Production of the eDeliver 7 started in August with Maxus predicting a 60/40 fleet/retail sales split for the van.
Equipped with an 88kWh battery, the eDeliver 7 offers a range of up to 226 miles on a single charge, according to Maxus. A claimed 80% charge is possible in 43 minutes with a DC charger. The van is available in three size configurations: L1 H1 with a load volume of 5.9m3, L2 H1 with a load volume of 6.7m3 and L2 H2 with a load volume of 8.7m3. Maximum payload across the line-up is 1,200kg.
Maxus claims to have achieved 46% sales growth in 2023 and is confident of further progress in 2024.
According to Mark Barrett, managing director of Harris Maxus (pictured with the eDeliver 7) the sales growth is attributable to the brand’s continuous investment in innovation and design, its ever-evolving range of pure electric vehicles and the strength of its dealership network – which now numbers about 60 sites in the UK – together with a repositioning of the Maxus brand.
“While 2023 was a great year for Maxus, we are confident that 2024 will be better again with stratospheric sales growth forecast for the coming 12 months,” said Barrett.
“Our eDeliver 7, which we premiered at the 2023 Commercial Vehicle Show, will play a pivotal role in driving our sales but we have much more in store for the market next year,” he confirmed, revealing that following the launch of the eDeliver 7, Harris Maxus is gearing up for the launch of a new premium electric panel van, the eDeliver 5.
In September this year, SAIC announced the appointment of Richard Chamberlain as SAIC Maxus country manager for the UK and Ireland. Chamberlain joins the company from Stellantis, where he was previously LCV director for Stellantis UK and country manager for Fiat Professional.
He said: “This is a great opportunity to join an exciting and growing brand that is leading the industry with a wide portfolio of electric products and significant traction in a number of sectors.
“I’m looking forward to working closely and supporting the Harris Maxus brand as we embark on the next stage of the journey.”
Barrett added: “We look forward to working with Richard and SAIC to further grow the Maxus brand in the UK and Ireland.”
Highly Commended: Stellantis large vans
Stellantis is to renew its line-up of large vans in 2024 with the launch of new models across its brands. The move will see Citroën introduce a new Relay, Fiat Professional introduce a new Ducato, Peugeot introduce a new Boxer and Vauxhall introduce a new Movano. Updated battery-electric technology will be available across all nameplates, according to Stellantis, delivering increased range of up to 261 miles for the large vans on the WLTP cycle, 87 miles more than the current maximum. Features across the brands’ line-ups will include 10in infotainment touchscreens, 18 upgraded advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), connectivity as standard on all models, with over-the-air updates available from 2026 and e-PTO (electric power take off) capability. Stellantis has also announced it will introduce a large hydrogen van in 2024 with a range of 311 miles. The renewal of its large van product range is part of the group’s new Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle strategy.
