Louis Vanassche, dedicated sales person at Northwood Garage for the DFSK vans.
NORTHWOOD Garage and Hale Common Suzuki are to take on the franchise of DFSK mini vans for the Island.
Graham Vanassche, managing director of Northwood Garage, said: "We are very excited to be bringing the first Chinese manufacturer to the Island. It could be very similar to when the Japanese brands entered the market back in the 1970s. Having driven the vans, they are perfect for the Island, due to the size and their low cost.
"We look forward to speaking to our local business community about the excellent flexibility and economy the DFSK vans offer."
Northwood Garage and Hale Common have been established on the Island since 1935 and have built up a reputation for customer service. The DFSK brand will have a dedicated sales person, Louis Vanassche.
In the UK, DFSK’s current range of mini vehicles is to be sub-branded Loadhopper.
The vehicles come from China, where they have been produced by the Dongfeng Motor Group, which has more than a ten per cent share of the Chinese vehicle market, in a joint venture with the Sokon Motor Holding Company, which recently changed its name to DFSK.
DFSK has gained international quality and environmental certificates ISO9001, 3C and environmental certification ISO12000.
Main players in the market for small vans have been the Suzuki Carry, Bedford Rascal and Daihatsu Hijet. There have been no new vehicles in this sector of the UK market for approximately five years.
A spokesman for DFSK said: "Northwood and Hale Common will be perfect, as they have previous experience with the Suzuki carry van, which is a similar size van. The DFSK brand will run alongside the already well established brands of Mazda and Kia at Northwood and Suzuki at Hale Common.
The Loadhopper single-cab pickup will have a launch price of £7,999, plus VAT and delivery charge, and £9,999 for the Loadhopper double-cab pickup.
All vehicles will be sold with one-year roadside assistance and a three-year warranty as standard, the first two years with unlimited mileage and the third year providing cover up to 60,000 miles.