News Item: Stockton-built Ambition Drives Official Launch of Farizon North East
Business leaders, regional stakeholders, industry partners and local businesses will come together in Stockton-on-Tees on 2 September for the official launch of Farizon North East, marking the latest stage in CPD’s growth and diversification.
Farizon North East has already been operating from CPD’s Stockton headquarters following the company’s appointment as the North East retail dealer and strategic conversion partner for Farizon, the electric commercial vehicle brand owned by Geely.
The event, starting at 10:30 am on Wednesday 2 September, will celebrate the partnership, CPD’s continued investment in Stockton and the company’s growing role in the electric commercial vehicle market.
Civic and business leaders to open Farizon North East
The official opening will be led by Cathal Doocey, CEO of CPD; Calum James, Country General Manager, Farizon Auto UK; and Councillor Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, accompanied by Chris Renahan, Assistant Director for Inclusive Growth and Regeneration at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
The dealership launch comes during a significant period of growth and investment for family-founded CPD. The business has expanded from its commercial vehicle body building roots into vehicle sales, bespoke conversions and wider fleet services, while investing significantly in its Stockton facilities and electric vehicle capabilities.
The Farizon partnership represents a further diversification of the business, extending beyond vehicle retail into engineering, conversion and vehicle development. The newly launched Farizon SV Sport, developed and built in Stockton by CPD, demonstrates how Farizon’s electric vehicle platform is already being combined with CPD’s design and conversion expertise.
CPD has also developed specialist applications on the Farizon SV platform, including its Good2Go Zero electric welfare van, as demand grows for electric commercial vehicles capable of fulfilling more specialised working roles.
Cathal Doocey, CEO of CPD, said: “This official launch is not only about opening the doors to a dealership. It reflects how CPD has grown and diversified; the 20 jobs we’ve created just this year; and the investment we’re continuing to make here in Stockton.
“The partnership with Farizon is a natural evolution for CPD. We’ve been supplying complete commercial vehicles for years, as well as building the conversions, and the move into electric vehicle retail builds on that experience at a time when the market itself is changing. It gives us the opportunity to support businesses through that transition, from choosing the right electric van to developing something more specialised around the job it needs to do. We’re already seeing where that can lead, with vehicles such as the SV Sport being developed and built here in Stockton.
“On 2 September, we’re bringing together the people who’ve been part of that growth, alongside customers, partners and businesses from across the region. We’d like to thank Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for its long-continued support and for joining us to officially mark the occasion. We’re proud of what we’re building here, and we’d be delighted if local businesses would come along, have a drive, have some lunch and celebrate it with us.”
Bringing the region together
The official launch will bring together customers, industry partners, regional stakeholders and businesses from across the North East.
Guests will have the opportunity to experience the Farizon range first-hand through test drives and join an industry roundtable exploring the opportunities and practical challenges businesses face in the transition to electric commercial vehicles.
Businesses from across Stockton-on-Tees and the wider North East are warmly invited to attend. Whether already operating electric vehicles, considering the transition or simply interested in seeing the Farizon range and CPD’s growing capabilities, visitors are welcome to join the celebration and lunch.
The event takes place at CPD’s Stockton-on-Tees headquarters on Wednesday 2 September 2026.
Attendance is free, but capacity is limited and advance RSVP is essential.