MG Motor South Africa has confirmed plans to enter the local bakkie market with contenders badged as the U7 and U9, while also eyeing the ladder-frame SUV space…
- MG U7 and U9 to step into SA’s bakkie market
- U7 appears closely related to LDV T60 Max
- U9 seemingly a twin to SAIC’s LDV Terron 9
- MG TS ladder-frame SUV also planned for SA
MG Motor South Africa has announced that it plans to enter Mzansi’s cut-throat bakkie market with a pair of contenders badged as the U7 and the U9 – and that it intends to offer a 7-seater body-on-frame SUV as well.
As a reminder, MG was founded over 100 years ago in the United Kingdom as “Morris Garages”. However, today it’s run by Chinese group SAIC Motor, a state-owned manufacturer that is also responsible for the Maxus and LDV marques.
The MG brand returned to South Africa late in 2024 after an 8-year pause, with the current line-up comprising only passenger vehicles (in the form of the MG3 hatchback, the fully electric Cyberster roadster and the ZS, ZS Pro and HS crossovers – with several more cars planned).
Now, however, MG Motor SA has confirmed that it intends to enter the local light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. While the company stopped short of announcing precise launch dates, we believe it plans to launch its first bakkies at some point in the opening half of 2027.
From what we can tell, the MG U7 – a badge that is seemingly not (yet) in use in any other markets – will be closely related to the updated LDV T60 Max (as opposed to the T60 already on offer in SA) that will soon launch in Australia. MG Motor SA says the U7 will be offered locally with a choice of 2.0- and 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines.
For the record, the new Aussie-spec T60 Max – which measures 5 378 mm from front to back in double-cab guise – features a 2.5-litre oil-burner generating 163 kW and 520 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered via an 8-speed (ZF-sourced) automatic transmission.
Meanwhile, the MG U9 appears to be a close relation of the LDV Terron 9 that is already available here in South Africa. As a reminder, that model employs the same 2.5-litre turbodiesel powertrain detailed above, with the SA-spec version making 164 kW. The 5 500 mm-long U9 is already on sale in Australia, where its 2.5-litre oil-burner offers 160 kW.
In addition, MG Motor SA says it intends to launch a new body-on-frame SUV, which looks set to wear the “TS” badge (another nameplate that’s ostensibly not yet used overseas). This model – which we suspect will share much with the LDV D90 – is expected to offer 7 seats, along with turbodiesel and “potentially petrol” engines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is MG Motor launching bakkies in South Africa?
A: Yes, MG Motor South Africa has confirmed plans to enter the local light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment with two bakkies badged as the U7 and U9, expected to arrive in the first half of 2027.
Q: What engines and underpinnings will power the MG U7 and U9 bakkies?
A: The MG U7 (related to the updated LDV T60 Max) will offer 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines in SA. The larger 5.5-metre MG U9 (a twin to the LDV Terron 9) uses a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine producing around 160 kW and 520 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Is MG also planning a body-on-frame 7-seater SUV for South Africa?
A: Yes, MG Motor SA intends to introduce a 7-seater ladder-frame SUV wearing the “TS” badge (expected to share much with the LDV D90), offered with turbodiesel and potentially petrol engine options.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
