This story first appeared in the June issue of DieselTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
Because utes now account for more than 21% of the new vehicle market, all of the manufacturers that have a pick-up in their line-up, excluding Nissan and Mazda, will be vying for customer attention at the 2016 National Fieldays.
The New Zealand distributor for Fiat-Chrysler and Foton, Ateco Group, will debut the new Cummins-powered Ram heavy duty pickup at Mystery Creek.
Ateco Group chief executive David Smitherman says he expects considerable interest in the new Ram. Smitherman also says the Foton Tunland ute will be on display once again at the event.
Volkswagen will have a significant presence at National Fieldays showing off its revised Amarok Ute and range of commercial delivery vans as well as passenger vehicles.
Toyota and Holden will have their passenger and light commercial range represented by local Waikato dealers.
Ford New Zealand is recreating the same stand and ride and drive experience, as is Hyundai, which will not only have am enormous two-storey pavilion but will also be the official vehicle supplier to the event.
The Ssangyong and LDV distributor will have stands at Mystery Creek, as will Renault New Zealand.
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand, Mahindra New Zealand and Isuzu Ute New Zealand will also have a significant presence at this year’s event, with targeted marketing on individual models, as well as finance offers.
Ssangyong and LDV return bigger and better
Great Lake Motor Distributors, the importers of SsangYong SUV and LDV light commercial vehicles, are returning to the Fieldays in full force, and will even have a hot tub on their site.
Spokesman Warren Willmot says the SsangYong and LDV brands will share a large new site, from I36 to I40.
There will be a full range of SsangYong SUVs and Utes including the New Rexton 2.2 and Tivoli XLV crossover.
There will also be a full range of LDV V80 cargo vans, V80 minibus, and V80 motorhome for people to view as well as the new G10 cargo van and G10 people mover.
Willmot says that particular Fieldays deals will be only available to people on site and not at authorised dealerships.
Win a Volkswagen Olympic chilly bin
Once again the Volkswagen brand of passenger and light commercial vehicles are at stand E92 to E94 – for the National Fieldays, watch out for the Volkswagen Blimp towering above the area.
“We will once again have our decked out Amarok called “Rokky”– which used by the Sky Sports Hunters Club – on display,” says Volkswagen marketing manager, Ben Montgomery.
Also, Montgomery says there are special pricing Amarok Trendline 4×4 pickups from $49,990; there will be deals on a Fieldays accessory packages, as well as finance packages on Highline Amarok from $199 per week.
There will be a new Volkswagen California all set up for camping and a social media competition to win a Volkswagen Olympic chilly bin.
Other vehicles on display will include a Transporter Dropside, a Multivan Highline, a Golf GTI Edition 40, and an NZ Olympic Edition Golf wagon as well as Passats, Touaregs, Tiguans, and other members of the Golf family.
“Again the best bet is for people to visit us to see what we can do for them on the day. Any published offers will be available on our website,” says Montgomery.
Ford showcase Everest “off the grid”
This year Ford returns to the same stand at Mystery Creek, being C99 to C103, with a focus this year on the new Everest SUV.
Instead of demonstrating the capability of the Ranger around a closed off circuit, this year prospective buyers will be treated to the Everest off-the-grid experience.
Ford has already started its Fieldays sale marketing campaign ahead of the National Fieldays, offering an Everest Trend SUV for $68,990 plus on-road costs, or a double cab Ranger XLT 4×2 manual well-side model for a transactional price of $42,990, plus on-road costs.
Other offers in this marketing campaign include a Kuga Ambiente front-wheel-drive model offered at $33,340 plus on-road costs, as well as Focus Trend from $33,340 plus on-road costs.
Isuzu Utes keeps moving
This year Isuzu Utes is moving to a new site, from H38 to H52, but customers will still be able to get behind the wheel again.
Isuzu marketing manager Gareth Lowndes says all models will be displayed including – LS-T Double Cab, LS Double Cab, LS Space Cab, LX Single Cab Chassis, LX Space Cab Chassis and MU-.X
Lowndes says the company is promoting zero deposit, and a 7.9% Interest rate offer on all D-Max and MU-X models (conditions apply). Isuzu is also offering a lease rate on LS Double Cab models from $329+GST per month (conditions apply).
In addition, the company is offering two option packs for customers to kit out their new D-Max. There is a FD accessories pack ($4990 including GST) which includes leather seats, reversing camera, a graphics package and a set of 20-inch Full Pump wheels.
As well as the FD pack, customers also have the option of a genuine accessories pack ($3990 including GST) which includes a Sports Bar, tinted windows, alloy scuff plates, a body kit and a deck liner.
Holden Trailblazing at Mystery Creek
Holden’s new corporate affairs manager Edward Finn, says the Red Lion brand it will occupy a site at Mystery Creek from J38 to J42.
The new Holden Holden Trailblazer SUV will make its first New Zealand appearance at the National Fieldays, ahead of going on sale in the second half of 2016.
Ex-All Black Stephen Donald will be making guest appearances at the Holden tent during the four-day event.
Finn says Holden will offer Fieldays sharp deals across its entire passenger and light commercial range and there will be an impressive display of the Colorado line up.
In addition Finn told Automedia Group a new Holden Commodore Black Edition will be unveiled at the event, with more details of the car to be announced in the week leading up to the event.
Need a new Swanny? Buy a new Hilux
Toyota will return to the same Mystery Creek site as last year at C71 to C75, and L2 to L4 on the corner of L Road and C Street.
There will be no less than 11 Hilux vehicles from the range of 21 models on display, and Toyota spokesperson Terri Dunn says there is a possibility the company’s brand new Corolla Hatch Hybrid will be on display, as well as a new LC70.
Dunn says marketing promotion all on all new vehicles includes: 3 years servicing, 3 years Warranty, and 3 years AA Road service. Additionally, new Hilux buyers can take up a 3% p.a. finance rate and will receive an exclusive Hilux Swanndri.
To promote its new high-riding 4×2 Hilux PreRunner, Toyota is offering a lease deal from $349 per month, conditions apply.
Pajero Sport makes Fielday’s debut
The Triton ute and Pajero Sport SUV will be a big focus on the Mitsubishi stand, which again occupies stand J30 to J34.
Triton is currently sitting at number three behind Ranger and Hilux, and Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand wants to remain there.
Head of marketing Daniel Cook says the company will have its full range of passenger and light commercial vehicles on display.
“Our key focus this year will be our Fieldays special on the Triton Charger-X,” says Cook.
“This is a top spec automatic with the addition of leather, powered driver’s seat, rear diff lock, 7″ touchscreen with sat nav and a Charger-X decal package. A special RSP of $49,990, or $499 per month finance package will apply,” he says
“The other key vehicle will be Pajero Sport and we have stock arriving this month for an assault on Fieldays. The $49,990 special price on XLS continues.We are expecting a very busy Fieldays with these key models and will have additional staff on site to cope,” he says.
“With Triton currently in third position for ute sales this year, we are experiencing significant demand and are looking to further our lead on Nissan and Holden at Fieldays,” says Cook.
Renault electrifies Mystery Creek
Renault will bring the new Kangoo EV delivery van, as well as the Zoe EV hatch to Mystery Creek, at its new stand located at N8 to N10.
According to Sal Marti, French themes are the order of the day with some other surprises on the site, including a replica of an iconic Parisian landmark.
“Our site will consist of eight vehicles including Captur, Clio, Megane RS, Master, Trafic, ZOE EV, Kangoo EV, and we will have a cutout of the new Koleos on display,” says Marti.
Competitions on the stand will include an Electric Racing track competition – the fastest time per lap will go on to a leaderboard and winners will receive a pair of Renault branded headphones.
The second is a ‘Captur France’ photo competition of the most ‘French’ photo taken in Renault’s exhibition during Fieldays, and uploaded to social media. The winner will receive a $500 French food hamper.
Mahindra making an impact
Mahindra, the Indian manufacturer of tractors, UTVs, pick ups and SUVs will have a big presence at Mystery Creek this year on display at stand E100 to E106.
Mahindra New Zealand marketing manager Steve Vermuelen says the company will display a full range of its products. As well as the tractors, Mahindra will showcase its new mPACT UTV, as well as the new automatic XUV500 diesel SUV, the Pik Up and Genio light trucks, and the farm focussed Thar diesel SUV which are only for on-farm use and not able to be road registered.
Vermuelen says there will be a finance or cash back offer for Fieldays customers, but was unable to confirm which at the time of going to press.
