A courier driver of 10 years, who thinks he has travelled on every road in the South Island, had to have a new odometer fixed to his delivery van, after clocking up more than 1 million kilometres.
Chen Li, of Christchurch, known by his colleagues as Tim, travels from Christchurch Airport to Timaru every day, and purchased his Toyota Hiace van in 2012, brand new from Miles Toyota in his home city.
The van’s odometer was replaced last week by Miles Toyota Airport, in Christchurch, when it became stuck on 999,999.99km, the business also making Li a trophy for the milestone.
Service manager Bill Potter said it was the first time he had seen someone needing to have their vehicle’s odometer changed because they had maxed it out.
“Usually the van would be upgraded or replaced, and in some instances in a car accident,” he said.
“But travelling the distance there will be a lot of hot running, so it’s not unheard of with Toyota.”
Li began working as a contractor for NZ Post the same year he purchased the van.
“I am really proud to contract to NZ Post,” Li said.
“I’ve basically travelled on every bit of road in every corner of South Island and I always tell people the Christchurch to Timaru stretch of road is one of the very best.”
Li said getting the odometre changed was a “very exciting’’ experience.
The van still has the original engine, and he has only had to replace the alternator and starter motor.
“If you want to keep your car running nice you need to get it serviced often. I get mine serviced every 10,000km,” Li said.
“Sometimes I will stretch it out to 12,000km, but never more, and by doing that I have no leaking.”
Li is well known for being organised, arriving on time to the minute and arriving in Timaru, unloading the van, filling up his water bottle, and then he is back on the road, he said.
“I always try to be organised, on time, and have a smile on my face for all my customers,” Li said.
While he doesn’t have a nickname for his van he refers to it as “my boy”.
However, Li has also purchased another van, as in June 2021 New Zealand Post announced a new logo and rebranding to unite its NZ Post, Pace and CourierPost brands.
While he has taken possession of the van, he is waiting until it is painted and has the new logos.
But his milestone-reaching van will still be kept on as a backup and second van.
Travelling the Christchurch to Timaru highway constantly, meant having a broken windscreen or two wasn’t uncommon.
He said He loved what he does and does not plan on changing profession any time soon – maybe at the next one million kilometres, he said.
“I love the freedom working as a courier driver,” he said.
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