Harris Group’s Maxus line up sales have surged by 46 per cent in Ireland this year, helped considerably by the electric models in the range.
Mark Barrett, Managing Director of Harris Maxus, credits this growth to the brand’s robust investment into vehicle innovation, its range of premium pure electric vehicles, and the proficiency of its dealership network along with a repositioning of the brand.
“Our EV sales performed well over the past 12 months with a 19.8 per cent uptick in the UK market. Ireland saw a 109 per cent increase, albeit from a lower base, year-to-date. Going into 2024, things are looking positive and we are projecting a 70 per cent rise in overall sales next year,” he said.
New models coming
Barrett also announced two significant new models that will enter the Irish market in 2024 — an eDeliver 5, which the company is describing as ‘a premium electric panel van’, and the MIFA 7, a smaller but still practical and high-tech, electric MPV which will sit alongside the existing, large, MIFA 9 in the lineup.
Barrett also expressed confidence that the newly introduced eDeliver 7 will play a pivotal role in the company’s EV sales for 2024. “This mid-size electric van fits snugly between our smaller eDeliver 3 van and larger eDeliver 9 option and will fill a gap in the market. It’s available to order with delivery from January 2024, coming in three size configurations and two battery options, with an excess one-tonne payload.”
Government needs to do more
However, while all of this seems positive, Barrett warned that the Irish Government is sleeping at the wheel when it comes to convincing and cajoling businesses to switch to electric vehicles. “Demand for EV is strong, however it’s nowhere near where it should be. eLCVs in Ireland account for just 3.22 per cent of overall light commercial sales. The key challenge for the EV sector, particularly in Ireland, is the appalling EV infrastructure, particularly outside of major cities. There’s a growing gap between the number of electric cars on Irish roads and the number of available public chargers. More action is needed by government, with focus needed not only on the quantity of chargers available, but also the type of chargers and their location,” he said.
Barrett also pointed out that a lack of grants, incentives and supports for drivers and businesses is causing frustration in the market: “The motor sector has seen a slowdown in EV sales and demand has been tempered by rising inflation and a paucity of grants. Government incentives are on a downward slide at a time when they need to be increased. In Ireland, we’re lagging behind our European counterparts when it comes to incentivising EV buyers and more needs to be done if we wish to meet the government’s proposed climate targets for 2030.”
New diesel Deliver 7 coming
In amongst the talk of the electric van revolution, Harris Maxus has announced that it will introduce a new diesel model in response to growing customer demand. “Our strategy since 2020 was to phase out our diesel offering and to focus entirely on EVs. However, we recognise the challenges some face in adopting to electric vehicles. While committed to sustainable transportation, we acknowledge the immediate needs of customers and are cognisant of the fact that older ICE vehicles contribute to higher carbon emissions. In recognition of these immediate requirements, we’re introducing a new diesel variant of the Maxus Deliver 7 in 2024. This option provides a practical and carbon-efficient alternative for those navigating obstacles in the transition to EVs, ensuring our dealers can thrive while we continue our journey towards a greener future,” said Barrett.