Reborn Maxus winning markets at home and abroad

Australia is one of Maxus' largest export destinations. [Provided to China Daily]

Commercial vehicle manufacturer Maxus is expected to stage a European comeback in late 2014 with the Shanghai-based automaker discussing details with dealers in the United Kingdom and Turkey.

Maxus used to be a marque of British commercial vehicle manufacturer LDV Group, but its intellectual property was acquired by SAIC Motor in 2009.

The first batch of 200 vans will hit the European market by the end of 2014, said an executive at Maxus.

The automaker is also planning to export other models including the G10 MPV, pickups and new-energy vehicles to Europe in the near future.

With the launch of pickup models, Maxus' overseas sales are projected to account for 20 percent of its total sales, said the executive.

It sold 9,295 units by July, a 61.2 percent surge from the same period last year. The V80 van registered an 85.5 percent year-on-year increase and had a market share of nearly 11 percent by July in China.

Compared with its earlier foray in Europe, Maxus is now well established in more than 20 overseas markets.

Australia is one of its largest export destinations. The latest delivery of models in July came after export of more than 200 V80 models to the country last year, according to the company.

The company has a good performance in New Zealand as well, with its sales volume ranking top three in the local market in July.

The automaker held a 45 percent share of its segment market in Fiji thanks to orders from government departments including the finance ministry.

Despite the relatively small numbers, the company believes its addition on the list for approved government procurement lays a solid foundation for future performance in the market.

Maxus has done even better in Chile, one of its earliest overseas markets.

"We received an order for 200 vans from Chilean customers this year. Our models are well recognized in the Latin American market," said an executive at Maxus.

He added that the company has updated its models and they passed the Euro V emission standards that took effect in Chile this year.

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