ACEV changes hands

Nick Jackson is the new dealer principal and managing director at Auckland City Electric Vehicles (ACEV) in Takapuna.

He and director Greg Larsen have taken over at ACEV from Hadley and Alana Hargadon who are moving to Christchurch.

ACEV is a division of Allan Clarke Motors (the latter established in 1979) and Larsen says they went through a sales and purchase process with Allan Clarke, who is Alana’s dad, and the Hargadons who are assisting with the transition.

The new owners have exciting growth plans for a business already near the forefront of Auckland’s EV industry.

Jackson, who previously owned boat trailer specialists Hosking Trailers, says their business venture is timely considering the increasing level of interest in EVs, especially with governments here and world-wide fostering EV uptake and planning carbon and emissions reductions.

Larsen says a recent survey shows more than half of Kiwis are considering an EV for their next vehicle purchase.

While many of ACEV’s vehicles are the Nissan Leaf, Jackson and Larsen say they aim to bring in more EV variety to suit all ages, including SUVs which are easier for older people to get in and out of.

Entrepreneur, investor and business adviser Larsen has more of an automotive background, having worked for Richard Holden at Roverland (now Archibald and Shorter) and Jerry Clayton BMW Takapuna (now Continental Cars BMW) for more than 10 years, adding that Holden is a friend and mentor and a person he greatly admires.

He also knows of Allan Clarke, describing him as “a legend of the industry”.

Larsen says he and Jackson saw an opportunity with ACEV as already a market leader, with a fantastic dealership showroom with high quality stock, plus a team that loves what they do.

They expect ACEV to top the Auckland EV market and remain well known among EV customers, with both looking forward to their future in the automotive industry.

The business has about five other staff.

ACEV at 83 Barrys Point Road in Takapuna is open seven days a week.