Creating a new light commercial vehicle zone within the National Fieldays has not only seen competing brands moving into closer proximity to each other, but the quality of the exhibitions has also increased markedly.
In previous years the Waikato Toyota dealership ran the Mystery Creek event with support from Toyota New Zealand, but this year the distributor has now taken the reins, and is spending significantly more budget to create a bigger and better customer experience.
Not only did Toyota move to a new and much bigger site at Mystery Creek, but it also brought the Lexus brand of passenger and SUVs to National Fieldays for the first time yet.
Toyota created a one-off Hilux Gladiator 4×4 concept ute which captured many admiring glances from show goers visiting its much larger and better laid out exhibit.
Another brand making a significant investment in it’s presence at the National Fieldays was Land Rover.
It also moved across from it’s previous location into the newly created vehicle zone with an all-new enclosed marquee that meets the British manufacturers exacting standard of corporate identity, while showcasing the new Discovery SUV, as well as the current Land Rover and Range Rover line up.
Maserati was another new entrant to Mystery Creek for 2017 with the Levante turbodiesel SUV sharing space next door to the RAM, Jeep, and SRT exhibit, complete with concept vehicles and a New Zealand version of the infamous Rubicon Trail.
Light commercials were everywhere. Isuzu Ute once again had its demonstration course for people to try a D-Max or MU-X SUV on site, while Ford, Holden, Mitsubishi, LDV, and Ssangyong had to make do with static displays of their respective Utes and SUV models.
LDV presented a new T60 4×4 pick up in right-hand drive, as well as its new battery electric Van, while Mercedes-Benz presented 4×4 versions of the Sprinter van and cab chassis as well as the new G-Professional 4×4 single-cab/chassis pick up.
Hyundai cars, light commercials, and trucks remained at the unique two-storey marquee adjacent to the Village Green, and not far away was Renault which also presented it’s new 4×4 Master cab chassis truck as well as it’s other light commercials and passenger range in a uniquely French setting.
