Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has appointed Richard Chamberlain as SAIC Maxus country manager for the UK and Ireland.

Chinese manufacturer SAIC said Chamberlain's appointment comes at a time of "sustained growth" for the Maxus brand, which is distributed by Harris Group across right hand drive Europe.

Chamberlain joins SAIC from Stellantis where he was previously LCV director for Stellantis UK and country manager for Fiat Professional. SAIC is the largest automotive group in China.

In his new post Chamberlain will be working with the Harris Maxus team in a supportive role as the network and brand continues to evolve.

SAIC added that the company will not be directly selling in the UK, under Chamberlain's leadership, but will offer a real-time support role to Harris Maxus and its network of over 70 dealers located around the UK and Ireland.

Mark Barrett, Harris Maxus managing director, welcomed the news. He said: "We look forward to working with Richard and SAIC to further grow the Maxus brand in the UK and Ireland.

"Since we relaunched the brand here in 2016, we’ve enjoyed sustained growth in both markets. With a diverse range of premium vehicles, and with even more new models on their way.

"Maxus is set for even more success into the future. It’s an exciting time for the brand and Richard’s arrival could not have come at a better time.”

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Chamberlain added: "This is a great opportunity to join an exciting and growing brand that is leading the industry with a wide portfolio of electric products and significant traction in a number of sectors.

"I'm looking forward to working closely and supporting the Harris Maxus brand as we embark on the next stage of the journey."

Between July 2022 and July 2023 there were more than 196,916 LCVs registered in the UK with MAXUS capturing 1.13% market share. EVs accounted for more than half (55%) of Maxus registrations over the past 12 months. SAIC said the brand’s eLCVs is particularly in demand from companies in the grocery, delivery and pharmaceutical sectors.

Over the past seven years launches in the Maxus range include its flagship eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9 electric vans and most recently the eDeliver 7, which targets the one tonne payload van sector in the UK.

In 2022, Harris Maxus also debuted the UK’s first all-electric pickup, the T90EV as well as the world’s first fully-electric MPV, the Mifa 9. 

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