NordEast Vehicle Distributors appoints Farizon brand manager

NordEast Vehicle Distributors, a division of the Giltrap Group, has appointed Kevin Richards to the position of brand manager for Farizon, the fully electric commercial vehicle marque from Geely Group.

Richards brings more than 25 years of experience in the automotive sector, spanning brands including Peugeot, Honda, Fiat Alfa Romeo, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen commercial vehicles.

The appointment follows the launch of NordEast earlier this year, the new Giltrap Group distributor on a mission to introduce 5000 electrified vehicles a year to New Zealand’s roads by 2028. This includes commercial fleets and, with Farizon’s flagship electric SuperVan officially launching in New Zealand this month, electrifying New Zealand’s commercial fleet will be a key focus.

NordEast group general manager Dane Fisher said Richards brings a wealth of commercial experience and a genuine passion for sustainable mobility.

“Kevin brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep understanding of fleet and trade markets that will be instrumental in accelerating the electrification of New Zealand’s commercial transport sector … His strategic insight will support New Zealand businesses in making a confident transition to an electric fleet. We are excited to have him on the team.”

“It’s rare in your career to have the opportunity to launch an entirely new brand in the automotive space,” Richards said. “Doing so with the Giltrap Group, through NordEast, makes it even more exciting. Farizon is purpose-built for the next era of commercial mobility, and it’s a privilege to be leading the charge.”

His immediate focus will be on building brand awareness and educating commercial partners about the economic and environmental benefits of electrification.

“Fleet managers understandably have questions around range, charging, and practicality,” he explained. “Our job is to show them that electric vans can do the job, they operate better, while reducing operating costs and emissions. We want to help businesses make that first confident step into electrification.”

Farizon is designed from the ground up as a fully electric commercial mobility brand – a key differentiator in a market where many EV vans are adapted from internal combustion platforms. The Farizon EV SuperVan (available in New Zealand from November 1) delivers a range of up to 376 kilometres, equipped with advanced safety systems, heated and ventilated seating, and built-in power inverters allowing tradies to operate tools directly from the vehicle battery.

“Transport emissions are the fastest-growing contributor to New Zealand’s total emissions. Businesses that switch their fleets to electric vehicles can significantly reduce carbon emissions while also cutting running costs, something Farizon is focused on unlocking for the nation’s commercial sector,” Richards said.

This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.