Chinese brand LDV to undergo major product renewal in Australia during coming years
OVER the next two years, Chinese brand LDV will renew and overhaul its model range in Australia including replacements for its top-selling T60 ute and its D90 SUV spin-off, as well as the popular G10 delivery van, all of which are highly likely to include electric versions.
Speaking at a recent media event, LDV Australia general manager Dinesh Chinnappa said that on the back of this cavalcade of 2022 product launches that included an update to the T60 Max, an electric version of the T60, the Mifa people mover and Mifa 9 electric variants and eDeliver 9 electric van range, the next significant step-change for the brand locally would have to wait until 2024.
“I suspect by the end of 2024, we will have significant changes in our pick-up (the T60), and we’ll see some significant upgrades to our D90.”
The T60 was first launched here in 2017, with a significant update including a HiLux-like exterior frontal appearance and a big boost to power and torque in late 2021.
A recently launched model-year 2023 update of the T60 and arrival of Australia’s first mass-manufactured electric ute, the eT60, could be the last major development of this generation before they are replaced with clean-sheet versions that are likely to have a much more advanced electrification offering than the expensive, compromised and rear-drive-only eT60.
LDV has sold 5461 T60s to the end of November securing a 3.0 per cent of the 4×4 ute segment, although sales are down 19.7 per cent compared with the same time last year, when it had a 3.6 per cent share.
The D90 seven-seat SUV, based on the T60 ute, was also released in 2017 and had a 2021 refresh.
Sales of 2892 D90s to the end of November represent a massive 114.2 per cent uptick and a doubling of market share from 1.3 per cent of the sub-$70K large SUV segment at the end of last November to 2.6 per cent now, putting it between the SsangYong Rexton and Toyota Fortuner in terms of popularity.
Meanwhile, a bread-and-butter model on the LDV price list, the G10 van, will also be fettled during 2024, according to Mr Chinnappa.
“Towards the end of 2024, we will see significant change to what we call our mid-size van, the G10. While it has the excellent diesel engine and eight speed transmission, in a couple years it will disappear and a thoroughly new and modern replacement will appear.”
Year to date, the G10 is Australia’s third most-popular mid-size van with 2896 sales and a 13.5 per cent market share, just behind the Hyundai Staria Load that has shifted 3106 units for a 14.5 per cent share. The Toyota HiAce dominates the segment with a 37.9 per cent share and 8105 sales.
The G10 has been on the Aussie market since 2015 and its origins are as a people mover, which local distributor Ateco requested LDV produce as a commercial van for this market.
Mr Chinappa noted that the new model had come up for discussion with SAIC headquarters in China and hinted that it could include an electric version.
“I have been asked to provide some guidelines. It would be a skateboard chassis I suspect, perhaps the Mifa’s chassis.”
Beyond those key elements, Mr Chinnappa said little was known so far.
“All I know is that we’ve talked to them about an electric version, we’ve talked to them about an ICE version and we’ve told them it must be no higher than two metres high and we’ve given them the internal dimensions we think it should be, to compete with HiAce and so on. And they’re listening to us.”
