Innovation Automotive partners with the AA to officer roadside support

Multi-brand electric vehicle (EV) company Innovate Automotive (IA) has partnered with the AA to offer roadside assistance to its customers.

The AA partnership provides owners of the DFSK EC35 elelctric van with a complimentary three-year roadside assistance package, along with a five-year/75,000-mile warranty.

The partnership with the AA will be part of an aftercare package made available to DFSK EC35 owners.

The collaboration is the first of several to be announced by Innovation Automotive in the coming weeks as the company gears up to launch its first product into the UK market: the DFSK EC35 electric compact panel van.

Paul Brigden, IA's CEO, said: “At Innovation Automotive, we are committed to providing a first-class experience for our customers, not only at point of sale but throughout their time with the vehicle. Working with trusted partners is essential to the success of this business model, so we are delighted to be working with an industry leader like the AA.

“We will be announcing a number of other key partnerships in the coming weeks as we reveal the full suite of benefits available to our customers. We have built a compelling package that I have no doubt will resonate with fleet managers and owner operators looking to make the switch to electric.”

IA is to start distributing all-electric Chinese brands DFSK and Skywell in the UK with a direct-to-customer model.

Its focus will initially be on providing electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) but the business plans to add cars to its online offering in the future.

IA also has an exclusive agreement to provide Skywell commercial vehicles and will be introducing new products from that brand in the UK in the “near future”.

Pricing and detailed specifications for the DFSK EC35 will be announced when the vehicle officially launches on March 7.

The launch will be followed by the DFSK EC31, an electric chassis cab van.

Škoda UK national used car manager Barney Butterell recently joined IA as head of sales.

Donald MacSporran, head of manufacturer services at the AA, said: "Our continual investment in technology and training enables our patrol force of more than 2,500 highly skilled mechanics to work safely on electric vehicles, including providing recharge solutions and where we are unable to repair the vehicles our unique free-wheeling hub and multi-fit wheel solutions provide an instant recovery solution.

"We very much look forward to supporting Innovation Automotive and their customers in the coming years."