Company charging ahead to EV future

This story first appeared in the March issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Hopmans QEII Cars has turned over a few Leafs – in fact, the huge majority of Christchurch’s Nissan Leafs.

And it knows them inside out.

EV specialist and sales manager at Hopmans QEII Quality Cars Jeremy Waldron says more than 60 Nissan EVs were sold last year, mostly Leafs and e-NV200 vans.

That’s along with 20 hybrids, such as Toyota Prius and Mitsubishi Outlanders.
The company sells out of EVs fast so it had 30 more in transit during February when the stink bug issue affected some vehicle shipping. Some had been pre-sold.

Hopmans QEII Quality Cars is only the second dealership in New Zealand to bring in the latest Leaf and its offer attracted 5700 hits on Trade Me Motors.
“We have two more 40kW Leafs coming, one in pearl white and the other in black. Both are high specification ‘G’ models,” Waldron says.

The family owned business is now expanding its North New Brighton yard just to cater for EVs, particularly to meet demand.

The company takes a hands-on approach to everything it does, Waldron says.
“We have two four-hour EV fast chargers on site.”

Director Andre Hopman even hand-picks cars in Japan, ensuring an EV’s battery state of health is as good as possible, usually around 90% or above (12 bars).

“Our demonstrator Leaf is very popular, especially with over-night test runs,” he says.

Hopman believes EV and hybrid cars are the future.
“We are very excited for what the future holds in EV type vehicles.”
Hopmans QEII was formed in 2001 and has taken off, selling an average of 1000 cars and vans a year.

It’s so successful that Hopman’s sons George and James are now also involved in the business – George as business manager for the finance and insurance side and James in sales.

“We have a dedicated finance office and George can tailor loans to your affordability with interest rates that beat the bank,” Hopman says.
“He also offers outbound finance for boats, caravans, machinery, and vehicles either privately or from another dealer.”

Hopman not only stands behind every car sold but he also runs a “Find-a-car” service so he can import or source a car for a customer.
Waldron says the dealership is among the largest in the South Island for Nissan EVs.

“Between $20,000 to $30,000 gets you a near-new low mileage EV,” he says.
EVs also come with a one-year warranty, New Zealand-certified charging cord, English dash conversion and all on-road costs.

Waldron says EV interest is definitely growing fast – and with the Nissan Leaf being voted the most reliable car in New Zealand (source Consumer NZ), sales have taken off.

With no oil or servicing requirements and charging at home overnight costing $2.50, ownership is a “no brainer,” he says.

Specialising mainly in late model Japanese imports, the dealership has a selection of New Zealand new models also. Although many go to Canterbury people, the company also regularly ships vehicles nationwide.

It supplied a large quantity of commercial vehicles to all trades for the Canterbury rebuild after the earthquakes.

The most popular seller has been the Toyota Hiace, of which the company stocks a large range.

The company motto is “Best Price, Quality and Service Guaranteed”. All vehicles are serviced by its Auto Super Shoppe and MTA certified workshop, meaning they have a six- month MTA warranty.

Hopman has also been a director on the MTA board and is currently involved with the MTA used vehicle dealer committee and Canterbury MTA coast-to-coast hub executive.
Visit www.hopmans.co.nz for more information.