Second price reduction in a fortnight for eT60.

LAST week’s dramatic price reduction in respect to the sole electric utility selling here has just been gazumped by a new pitch that removes significantly more from the previous special price.

Having indicated that its initial action in respect to the eT60 utility was a stock clearance that relates back to a change of distribution rights, LDV New Zealand is now citing a change of Government - and the end of Clean Car discounts - as spurring it to reset the model’s recommended retail to a much lower placement still.

At $49,990 with the Government’s $7015 discount, the rear-drive battery model is cheaper than the many one tonne diesel utilities and $30,000 less than the full recommended retail it held when launched, just over a year ago.

The new price is only going to hold until December 31, when Clean Car discount is expected to curtail, or until stock exhausts, whichever occurs first.

LDV has given no indication how many eT60s it has in the country, but in its initial discount campaign - that took the model to $65,960 when a Clean Car discount involved - it indicated it had accepted a consignment of vehicles that had apparently been ordered by the previous distributor, Great Lake Motors, and landed after LDV NZ, formed by Inchcape NZ, had taken over distribution rights. That deal was formalised in August.

Today LDV NZ said it “rolled up its sleeves to help Kiwis with their bottom line” with a campaign head of brand marketing, Daile Stephens, said was “a never-before-seen offer in the industry.”

“We believe this is the first time an electric vehicle has been offered at a lower price than its petrol or diesel equivalent model. Our top spec diesel-powered T60 ute has a recommended retail of $49,990 and this special offer on the electric, double cab eT60 comes in under that. And that’s not even taking into account your future fuel savings.”

She said the offer provided the perfect platform to electrify a fleet.

“It is unprecedented and provides huge savings. The recent election results also create a sense of urgency due to National’s plans to scrap the CCD rebate.”

Inchcape assumed distribution, retail, and vehicle leasing operations for LDV and South Korea’s SsangYong from GLMD. The latter is set to rename as KG Mobility.

It is not clear whether the LDV product will revert to original RRPs in 2024.

Inchcape has vehicle distribution and retail operations around the world. Close to home it distributes Subaru vehicles here under the Subaru New Zealand banner, while in Australia it holds the rights to Subaru, Peugeot and Citroen, alongside retail, finance and logistics operations.

GLMD held the rights to SsangYong since the early 2010s, adding LDV – a division of the huge Chinese SAIC manufacturer – later.