New Nelson Kia dealership prepares for EV expansion

A new Kia dealership in Nelson has opened, and the site is preparing for an expansion of electric vehicles in the future, first installing on-site chargers.

This comes after Kia Motors announced a worldwide plan to ramp up its EV range over the coming years.

“The electric future is exciting,” Kia Nelson dealership principal Alan Kirby says. “People in the Nelson/Top of the South region are big supporters of the environment and we have quite a strong demand for electric cars – our local mayor drives a Niro EV.

Kirby says there is a lot of interest around EVs in Nelson.

“We’re looking forward to getting more of them ,” Kirby says. “As we sell more – there’s a lot of demand, but New Zealand isn’t a big enough market.”

“There’s not too much to say about it, but it’s something that features in our plans, and in a few years time we’ll be talking about it a lot more.”

Kia Nelson sits at 190 Rutherford Street, closer to the city centre but also serves those from its expanding suburbs of Richmond and beyond.

“The development has given us a separate, stand-alone dealership for the first time, and we are delighted to be in our own premises, with all the space and modern facilities that our customers expect and appreciate.”

Kirby says the decision to build the new Kia facility in Nelson was driven by Kia’s brand and the investment being made by Kia Motors to grow its business in New Zealand in recent years.

“We are fortunate to be aligned with New Zealand’s fastest-growing franchise and who knows where they will be in another five years,” Kirby says.

The redeveloped site is now home to a six-vehicle showroom with a modern lounge for customers. It also includes a designated area in the centre of the showroom where specialist displays are reserved for hero cars in the Kia line-up.

A new service centre, part of the upgrade, allows technicians to attend to five vehicles at the same time.

Kia Motors New Zealand managing director Todd McDonald says the Kia brand has been under-represented in the top of the South Island.

“Through the hard work of the Nelson team, we are now seeing a new era of brand representation,” McDonald says.

“They are an enthusiastic and very customer-oriented team, who reflect the philosophy and highly professional approach of Kia Motors.

“The opening of the new dealership is certainly cause for excitement for Kia customers in the region.”