Birmingham-based van and minibus maker LDV has launched a dealer and repairer recruitment drive on the back of its all-new Maxus van range.

The company has 63 main retailers and nearly 130 authorised repairers, but says the ideal network size is 80 sales points and up to 150 service centres.

Director of sales operations Richard Drewery admits that although 95% of the UK is within 20 minutes of an LDV outlet, the vanmaker would benefit from additional representation in some of the larger cities.

“London, for instance, is notoriously difficult because of property prices,” says Drewery. “But we’ve just taken on two and I’m confident we will attract other dealers – some new and some old friends who may have moved away but who will now see Maxus as a good reason to return.”

Maxus is the result of a £500m investment programme which survived in spite of LDV’s short-lived Gemini joint development exercise with Daewoo. The two wheelbase, three-roof panel 2.8-tonne to 3.5-tonne van range is priced from £12,995-£18,495.