Chinese van brand looks ahead to second model by year-end

Chinese light commercial vehicle brand DFSK used the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show to showcase its second model due to launch at the end of this year.

The V-series will join the small Loadhopper microvan and be sold as a single cab, double cab and panel van. Although pricing hasn’t been established yet, a DFSK spokesman said it wouldn’t be much more than the Loadhopper, which is set at £6999-£9999.

“When you’ve got manufacturers discounting by 35% you can’t be much more expensive,” he said. “The V-series may well appeal to a different type of buyer to the Loadhopper, people that want to carry ladders or fit racking.”

DFSK has been surprised by the sales breakdown the Loadhopper has achieved since launch late last year. It has sold in excess of 220 units, and expected the panel van to be the dominant bodystyle of the four on offer along with single cab, double cab and tipper.

“We were expecting the van to run away with it but the single cab has been selling like hot cakes and we’ve sold out of tipper; we didn’t bring many in and will need to order some more,” he said. “Quite a few councils have been buying the tipper and we’ve got a nice mix between them and tradesmen.”