British-founded LDV has officially arrived in South Africa with the Chinese-built T60 model set to compete in the cutthroat ladder frame bakkie segment. Here are details on the newcomer.
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Like many British automakers that had their heyday in the past, Leyland DAF Vehicles (or LDV) have enjoyed a resurgence under Chinese ownership over the past decade. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1896, the automaker forged a name for itself by creating vans and lorries. The modern LDV brand is part of SAIC Motor, the largest vehicle manufacturer in China and one of the ten largest vehicle manufacturers in the world by sheer volume in its home market, with more than five million vehicles sold in China alone. Also in this group are other brands MG and Maxus, the former potentially making a return in South Africa with Maxus already present in the market serving as the electric commercial vehicle supplier for Woolworths delivery vans. In addition to this, Maxus will offer these same models with internal combustion powertrains in the next several months.
Now, in 2024, the LDV group will signal its arrival in the local light-commercial vehicle segment with the first model homologated and ready for sale being the T60 bakkie. Contending several global markets with a variety of bakkies, SUVs and vans, LDV claims its Australian branch sold “over 21 000 units last year, with the T60 range of pick-ups feature as top-seller among entrepreneurs and small businesses.”
“Few vehicle brands can lay claim to the track record and history of LDV. On a global scale, SAIC and its family of vehicle brands such as LDV dwarf other Chinese vehicle manufacturers, and on a regional scale LDV has already firmly proven and established itself in right-hand drive markets such as Australia and New Zeeland, where it is a very popular brand,” says Ockert Conradie, General Manager at LDV South Africa.
Related: Got grille? MG’s refreshed (Hilux-fighting) bakkie revealed in Thailand
With its novel South African presence, LDV will be headquartered in Sandton, Gauteng and serve a national network of dealers which are currently being appointed following the completion of the first LDV dealership in Sandton. Additionally, the automaker states that a national parts distribution warehouse agreement is nearing completion.
Related: MG Rumoured for South African Return
LDV South Africa will open these showroom floors with a comprehensive model line-up, starting with a selection of T60 double cab bakkies. These models, which commenced with production in 2016 and underwent a recent facelift, are expected to arrive with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel powertrain capable of 160 kW and 500 N.m in either 6-speed manual or 8-speed ZF automatic. LDV South Africa will offer a comprehensive 5-year/200 000 km factory warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan as standard, across the product range of SUVs, vans and pick-ups.
LDV South Africa will launch this range of bakkies in May 2024 with confirmation on specifications and the vehicle range in the next few days.
