Maxus has launched two new vehicles for the UK and Irish markets in the form of an electric pickup and MPV. 

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Showcased at the opening of the CV Show today, the new arrivals include the T90EV; an electric version of the T90 that’s on sale in China. It features a 201hp motor, powered by an 88.55kWh battery and giving a range of 198 miles / 320km under the WLTP city rating, along with a payload of 740kg.  

Exterior styling includes a stainless steel sports bar and outside rope hook along with 17-inch alloy wheels and halogen headlights with automatic induction and LED daytime running lights. The interior has been designed for optimum space thanks to a neat dashboard design and floor console, and also features a 10.25-inch digital touch screen instrument cluster. The T90EV also comes equipped with a reversing camera and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. It will be available to order from August 2022, with delivery in Q1 2023. 

The T90EV will be joined by the Mifa 9 electric MPV, also already on sale in China and due to arrive here on the same schedule. Developed as either a seven- or an eight-seater, it’s the first model to be built on SAIC’s Mifa platform, which could also provide the basis for future SUVs and pickups.  

Practical features include an automatic lifting tailgate and electric sliding door, while the Mifa 9 also comes with front and rear sensors and intelligent headlight control.  

The powertrain uses a 242hp electric motor with a maximum torque of 350Nm and powered by a 93kWh battery. A long-range variant is also believed to be on the cards. 

The new vehicles join the existing Maxus eDeliver3 and eDeliver9 eLCVs in the UK and Ireland and arrive as Maxus posts new data showing that it captured an 11% market share of the 17,000+ eLCVs registered in the UK between March 2021 and April 2022. 

“The Maxus brand is synonymous with market-leading commercial electric vehicles, which is a very strong position for a brand that is relatively new but is clearly having a significant impact on the EV marketplace,” said Mark Barrett, general manager of distributor Harris Maxus. 

“EVs accounted for more than 36% of Maxus registrations over the past 12 months, and the growth and interest in EV vans, particularly from the grocery, delivery and pharmaceutical sectors, is phenomenal,” he added. 

The brand has also increased its network of UK dealerships in the past 12 months and now has 46 dealers located around the UK, in addition to nine service-only centres and 14 open points for both sales and service only.  

“While we are continuing to grow our dealer network, it’s less about the numbers and more about the pedigree of the respected names with which we partner,” said Barrett. “Each dealership owns and operates its own business, but we think and behave as a collective when it comes to the Maxus brand. That has been critical to the success and growth of the brand and has been made possible by having a great product that is supported by marketing, training, outstanding levels of customer service and by consistently going the extra mile for customers.” 

Maxus also recently committed £30m to the UK electric vehicle market to help van drivers, small businesses and larger fleets move away from internal combustion engines (ICE). It’s offering a £15,000 subsidy off the first 2,000 zero-emission eDeliver 9 vehicles ordered this year, supporting the switch to EVs. 

Barrett added: “Our commitment to the UK market is unwavering and we will continue to innovate, lead and bring new products to market, while providing information and education around making the switch to EV.”