NordEast Vehicle Distributors has reported 1,345 vehicle deliveries for the year to 31 December 2025, with Polestar and Volvo recording the strongest year-on-year sales growth among premium brands in New Zealand.
Polestar delivered 472 units and recorded sales growth of 106% versus 2024. Volvo delivered 534 units and recorded sales growth of 40% versus 2024. NordEast said the results make Polestar and Volvo the two fastest-growing premium brands in the market on a year-on-year basis.
NordEast began operations in August 2025. The business said it has established a national retail footprint across 14 locations and 29 showrooms in that period. Giltrap Group backs the distributor.
Portfolio growth
NordEast represents six Geely Group brands in New Zealand. They include Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Geely, Zeekr and Farizon. The company said its range covers hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles.
The distributor highlighted changes in consumer demand across electrified drivetrains. It pointed to early traction for plug-in hybrids alongside battery electric models.
Geely's Starray model has entered the top three in New Zealand's plug-in hybrid segment after its September 2025 launch, according to the company. NordEast described the segment as "superhybrid (PHEV)".
Management view
Dane Fisher, General Manager at NordEast, said the company's brands have outpaced the market and said customers wanted a wider set of electrified options.
"We set out to change the expectations of what electrification can deliver for Kiwi drivers and fleets, and we are proud of what we have delivered in year one. Launching a new distributor, with new brands in the market, while maintaining the performance of established premium brands is no small task. In six months, our team has built a national retail footprint and taken huge strides towards our ambition to deliver 5,000 electrified vehicles per annum by the end of 2028," said Dane Fisher, General Manager, NordEast.
Fisher also pointed to pricing strategy as a factor in early demand, with a focus on matching internal combustion pricing in comparable segments.
"We want to make electrified vehicles more affordable for New Zealanders, and early customer response has exceeded expectations. We have established Geely as a high-value electrified alternative for Kiwi households, demonstrating our commitment to offering low-emission vehicles at price parity with internal combustion engine vehicles," said Fisher.
"We have achieved our goals through being deliberate - offering a number of vehicles at similar prices to competitor internal combustion engine vehicles within the same segment," Fisher added.
Scale expectations
NordEast has set an ambition of delivering 5,000 electrified vehicles per annum by the end of 2028. The distributor said it expects 2026 to be a scaling year as supply increases and more vehicles become available across its line-up.
Zeekr and Farizon are expected to contribute to volume as availability expands. NordEast also said the arrival of the Zeekr 7X in volume would increase its presence in the premium electric SUV segment.
"The appetite from New Zealand is clear. People want electrified vehicles that deliver on design, technology and value. We've proven the portfolio resonates, and we're heading into 2026 with more product, more supply and a growing national network to support and appeal to customers," said Fisher.