You launched the Rexton Commercial Vehicle at the CV Show. What was the reaction?
The launch of Rexton Commercial Vehicle at the CV Show was unanimously positive, and it attracted a wide range of fleet operators, from SMEs to large utility companies. The feedback from fleet managers is that there is a definite requirement for this type of vehicle – there is a gap in the market, and that it may even be a credible alternative for pick-up users that are now penalised by benefit-in-kind taxation.
Naturally, there was a positive response to the price of Rexton Commercial Vehicle, which starts at £34,995, and its value-for-money proposition. We met with our dealer partners prior to CV Show at regional events across the UK and showcased Rexton CV at these meetings. Once again, it was positively received.
Tell us a little bit more about the Rexton Commercial and what are the key aspects of it that stand out?
Rexton Commercial is a car-derived van built from the well-established, award-winning KGM Rexton passenger car. The two-seat commercial variant is available in three trim levels providing extremely high standard specification levels and driver comforts across the range. Other benefits include four-wheel-drive capability, 3.5-tonne towing ability, a 750kg load capacity, with over 2,200-litres of secure load space with rear, and side access doors.
Rexton Commercial is VAT qualifying, resulting in a CVOTR from just £34,995, boasting a price saving compared to most similar specified pick-up truck. For those subject to benefit-in-kind, it is classed as a commercial vehicle and eligible for capital write down, unlike a pick-up now. Due to local conversion, lead times are around 4-6 weeks, and not 6-9 months, as with some competitor products.
As a brand KGM sales are going up. What has been the key to its success?
KGM, formerly SsangYong, rebranded in 2024. This was a significant step for a brand that was, and is, working towards a new era of innovation, and global market expansion. It was the time to reshape our brand identity, and our products in the UK market, while still drawing heavily on our unique heritage. The transformation provided an opportunity to create a more modern aesthetic, and signified a refresh of the brand vision, allowing a new focus on pioneering the next generation of mobility solutions.
With significant factory investment, we are now starting to see an improved vehicle line-up with the introduction of exciting products that incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as electrification, hybridisation, autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence.
We are also proud of our simple franchise model, which we believe is attractive to our dealer partners. Our ethos is that we must be easy to deal with – straight-talking and no-nonsense. This has led to an influx of new dealer partners, which is great for us, and improves sales. Ultimately, we are striving for manageable, and sustainable growth.
With this and the Musso pick-up, how important is the CV sector to you and why?
The commercial vehicle sector has become important to us over the past three years, and we have steadily increased commercial vehicle sales three-fold. Musso remains an important vehicle for us: most operators who need a pick-up will still need one, regardless of the new taxation implications.
It is important to us that we will strive to maintain our position of supplying the best-priced pick-up in the market, with short lead times, and to provide one of the most capable pick-ups all round. The introduction of Rexton Commercial creates further importance of the commercial vehicle sector for us, but it won’t stop here. We have Musso EV arriving shortly, and some further new products to be introduced in this space next year which will likely have all-new powertrains.
Tell us a little more about plans for the fully electric 0100 compact pick-up?
We are very excited about 0100. It’s a demonstration of the factory investing in new product to meet a fast-changing market demand. There is a feeling that EV pick-ups will not be a credible alternative to a combustion powered one for all users just yet however, there is likely to a range of operators where the product will still be compelling and fit for purpose. While we see the most obvious demand as a commercial, there may also be an untapped lifestyle market that would welcome the offering of Musso EV.
Our aim is to provide commercial users with a choice, to best suit their needs. If they need EV, we’ve got one. If they need a combustion engine, we’ve got one. If they need a two-seat car-derived commercial, we’ve got one.
Kevin Griffin
Managing Director of KGM Motors UK
