Chinese commercial vehicle brand Delivan is targeting a network of more than 100 UK dealerships as it looks to establish itself in the European electric light commercial vehicle market. The Chery-owned brand is currently exhibiting its first production models at IAA Transportation in Hanover.
At IAA Transportation, the Chery Commercial Vehicle LCV brand has unveiled its ‘Europe-developed’ range of electric vans and conversion solutions ahead of a planned European launch next year. This includes three vehicles all based on the same platform: L1H1 and L2H3 panel vans, plus an L3 chassis cab.
According to a press release, the range offers batteries from 50.4kWh to 97.4 kWh, “with up to 426km of WLTP combined range and charging from 15 to 80 per cent in approximately 22 minutes”. Additionally, the L2H3 includes up to 11.6m³ of cargo capacity while the L1H1 offers a payload of up to 1400kg. The L3 chassis cab meanwhile has a payload capacity of up to 2,120kg for ‘specialist applications’.
The brand states that these vehicles form part of its wider “1+3” proposition, which includes supporting services such as connected fleet management tools, remote diagnostics and maintenance, plus conversion and customisation through specialist partners.
Delivan has said it plans to build a network of UK dealerships over the next five years as it expands across Europe. It has not yet confirmed which dealers will form part of the network, although it has previously indicated that some existing Chery car dealers could become Delivan outlets, alongside dedicated commercial vehicle centres. The UK is one of several key European markets for the brand, alongside Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the Nordic countries.
AM Online quotes Ross Davies, COO of Chery Commercial Vehicle UK as saying: “If we look at a five-year plan, that would be 100+ sites over the UK. Our target is to scale that up sustainably over the next five years. The key for us at the launch is to have the right representation across the core areas of the market, as well as covering any fleet customer requirements that we may have. That’s an organic process. And we will realise that there are grey spots within the market and step by step we will fill those spots as we go.”
In a press release, Yueqiong Gong, vice president of Chery Holding Group and general manager of Chery Commercial Vehicle, added: “Using real-time connected-vehicle data, our in-house smart system applies AI to connect the entire operational chain – from individual vehicles to fleet management. Every vehicle, every kilometer of operational data is turned into measurable, tangible returns for our customers – making their operations safer and more efficient.”
