Additional South Island franchises still sought by new makes.

NORTH Island priority at the start with ambition to create a robust national spread has been signalled by the next car brand from China coming here.

The Omoda brand has confirmed it will launch next year with an initial dealer network of a dozen franchses, all but one in the North Island.

In announcing the established locations, the make that is run by Chery - which came and left here some years ago - and will be fully called Omoda Jaecoo has also called for expressions of interest for representation in Invercargill, Blenheim, and Nelson.

Creating a stronger foothold in the South Island is phase two of the business plan, Omoda New Zealand network development manager Wayne Wei has explained in a release to media.

The dealers already signed on will offer full sales, service, and spare parts.

“Our goal is to create customer confidence by having a well-established and reputable dealer network representing Omoda across New Zealand,” he says.

Auckland has Omoda dealerships on the North Shore, in central, west and east Auckland and in Pukekohe region. Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo also sorted, likewise Palmerston North and Wellington.

The sole dealer south of Cook Strait is in Christchurch.

Though images sent by Omoda Jaecoo might leave impression of dealerships being fresh builds, that will not always been the case.

Initially they will have Omoda cars - the C5 SUV, including in E5 fully electric form, with additional models coming later in the year. Models with Jaecoo badging are also incoming; the name translates as ‘cool hunter’ and is being used for sports utility types.

Showrooms will have exterior branding completed in February.