Chinese-owned brand LDV is set to launch in South Africa in May 2024, announcing its arrival with a range of T60 double-cab bakkie derivatives, including a 160 kW flagship…
Chinese-owned brand LDV has officially announced plans to enter the South African market, saying it will kick off its local activities with the launch of a range of T60 double-cab bakkie derivatives in May 2024. SUVs and vans (and perhaps other bakkie derivatives) are set to follow at a later stage.
So, what do we know about LDV? Well, the company traces its roots all the way back to 1896, when it was founded in the United Kingdom. In the late 1980s, the marque transformed into Leyland DAF Vehicles (hence the LDV initialism), before becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of China’s SAIC Motor in 2010.
Current LDV products in fellow right-hand-drive market Australia include the aforementioned T60, along with the D90 SUV, the Mifa people-mover and various delivery vans. For now, however, the only nameplate confirmed for Mzansi is the T60.
Interestingly, though, a couple of LDV products are technically already on the local market, though wearing the Maxus badge. These include the Maxus eDeliver 3 (available in chassis-cab and panel-van form) and the Maxus T90 double-cab bakkie, both of which are fully electric. LDV South Africa, however, looks set to concentrate on internal combustion engines – at first, anyway.
In fact, the company promises it will offer a “comprehensive model line-up”, starting with a selection of T60 double-cab bakkies. LDV says these models have already completed a “rigorous local testing and approval cycle, including full homologation”. From what we understand, the T60 range will include the T60 Max, T60 Pro and T60 Elite.
The LDV T60 Max looks set to employ a twin-turbodiesel 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine generating 160 kW and 500 Nm. A single-turbo version of this oil-burning motor will power the Pro and Elite variants, offering 120 kW and 375 Nm. The range will likely include both 4×2 and 4×4 configurations.
LDV South Africa says it plans to offer a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan across the range. The local subsidiary, which will have its headquarters in Sandton, says a national dealer network is “currently being appointed”, with construction on the first LDV dealership in Sandton already complete. Meanwhile, a national parts distribution warehouse agreement is “nearing completion”.
We’ll keep our eyes open for more details on the T60 range, including the all-important factor of pricing, ahead of the local launch in early May 2024…
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