Blokart International is running to land Volvo contract

Wednesday 28th January 2004

A small Bay of Plenty company that developed and sells land yachts is close to landing a lucrative marketing contract with European car maker Volvo.

Volvo wants to improve its sporty image and has been searching for a product to align with its latest model recreational vehicles.

Now it looks like Papamoa-based Blokart International's land yachts could be the image Volvo wants.

Managing director Paul Beckett said if the deal goes ahead, hundreds, possibly thousands, of Blokart land yachts would be supplied to Volvo showrooms overseas for a marketing campaign.

Volvo would promote Blokart with its new V50 five-door stationwagon, due to be launched later this year, he said.

Rival car firms have already seized on sporting themes -- Mitsubishi promotes a snowboard, while Porsche and other carmarkers have produced their own branded mountain bikes.

Blokart currently produces about 200 land yachts a month, and has sold nearly 4000 since it was established in June 2000.

About 60% of the yachts -- which weigh about 27kg -- are exported to Europe, Britain, Canada and United States. Blokart has recently appointed distributors in Japan and Australia.

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