Latest news with #LDVAustralia
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
LDV prices monstrous Terron 9 Down Under as hint for South Africa
Chinese automaker announced earlier this year that the Terron 9 will have its local market unveiling in the fourth quarter of the year. Terron 9 will become LDV's flagship bakkie when it arrives in the fourth quarter of the year. Image: LDV Australia via Reported earlier this year as being lined-up for local introduction in the final quarter of the year, LDV has released pricing of its flagship Terron 9 bakkie in Australia as a teaser of what South Africa will soon get. What is it? Set to be positioned above the T60, the Terron 9 will not only take aim at higher-end versions of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, but also the latter's twin, the Volkswagen Amarok, and the GWM P500 when it makes its landfall at the end of the year. Also expected to be sold as an MG similar to the T60 that wears the MG Extender moniker in Thailand, the double cab-only Terron 9 measures 5 500 mm long, 1 997 mm wide and 1 874 mm high with its wheelbase stretching 3 330 mm long. ALSO READ: New Terron 9 bakkie coming as part of revised LDV product range By comparison, the Ranger has an overall length of 5 350 mm, wheelbase of 3 270 mm, height of 1 886 mm and width of 2 208 mm, while the dimensions for the P500 amount to a length of 5 445 mm, height of 1 924 mm, width of 1 991 mm and wheelbase of 3 350 mm. Offering a payload of between 1 005 kg and 1 100 kg depending on the trim grade and a maximum towing capacity of 3 500 kg, the Terron 9 has a ground clearance of 220 mm, wading depth of 500 mm, approach angle of 29-degrees, breakover angle of 20-degree and departure angle of 25-degrees. Diesel first, EV later Down Under, the line-up will span two derivatives; Origin and Evolve, both powered by the same engine, a new 2.5-litre turbodiesel producing 163kW/520Nm. Terron 9 will rival the GWM P500 has one of the biggest bakkie sold in South Africa. Image: LDV Australia via As standard, the Terron 9 has a part-time four-wheel-drive system on both models, with the sole transmission option being an equally new eight-speed automatic. Arriving later, the all-electric eTerron, which made a surprise showing at the Nampo Agricultural Expo in Bothaville in the Free State in May as the Maxus eTerron 9, will produce a reported 325 kW from its 102-kWh battery pack, and have a range of 400 km between trips to the plug. Spec On the specification side, both variants come standard with a pair of 12.3-inch displays, bi-LED headlights, type-A and type-C USB ports, rain sense wipers, cloth upholstery, a rubberised loadbin, electric front seats, a rear diff-lock, roof rails and Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto. Taking care of safety are front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, tyre pressure monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition. Expansive interior adheres to the minimalist design and comes standard with a pair of 12.3-inch displays. Image: LDV Australia via Model-wise, the Origin has 18-inch alloy wheels and a four-speaker sound system, whereas the Evolve gets 20-inch alloys, folding electric mirrors, an eight-speaker JBL audio and a front locking differential. Adding to further to the Evolve is Trailer Reverse Assist, ambient lighting, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, LED loadbed lighting and heated rear seats. Colours and price In total, six colours have been selected; white, black, Concrete Grey, Desert Yellow, Jewel Blue and Spruce Green. Now available, pricing for the Terron 9 kicks-off at $50 990 for the Origin and $55 990 for the Evolve. Directly converted to rand without the various taxes included, these amount to R591 834 and R649 868 respectively. As a comparison, pricing for the T60 ranges from R480 000 to R790 000, suggesting a probable starting price of around R820 000 to R850 000 for the Terron 9 locally. Coming in quarter four For the moment, no further details about the Terron 9 for South Africa is known, however, expect more to be divulged around or before the stipulated fourth quarter reveal. Additional information from and NOW READ: Maxus eTerron 9 electric bakkie makes surprise Nampo showing
The Advertiser
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 LDV eTerron 9 spied in Sydney as all-new electric ute's release nears
The 2025 LDV eTerron 9 has been spotted in all of its boxy glory in Sydney just weeks before its official launch in Australia. The electric ute was spied in the Royal National Park south of Sydney by a member of the BYD Shark Owners Club Australia group on Facebook. A spokesperson for LDV Australia told CarExpert that both the eTerron 9 – the successor for the pioneering LDV eT60 electric ute – and the related diesel-powered Terron 9 ute remain on target for local release around mid-year. They said there was no update on release timing, which had originally been scheduled for the first quarter of this year, nor on the progress of the local testing program being undertaken for the Chinese brand's all-new diesel-powered dual-cab. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The diesel Terron 9 will be sold alongside – and positioned above – the existing LDV T60 lineup. The latter remains one of Australia's cheapest 4×4 dual-cab utes and has just been upgraded for MY25 with more advanced safety tech and a 3500kg braked towing capacity upgrade for all variants. It's not clear whether the eTerron 9 you see here is part of the local Terron 9 testing program that started in November 2024, but we can see from its New South Wales number plate (FLC-72S) that it's one of two Terron 9 vehicles pictured in a press release to announce its commencement late last year. The other (FLC-72N) was a camouflaged Terron 9 that we understand has since undergone local validation work on its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including lane-keeping and speed sign recognition functions, as well as its multimedia and battery charging systems. Known as the Maxus eTerron 9 in China, where it was first revealed last September, the new battery-electric dual-cab was confirmed for release in Australia, as an LDV, in early November 2024. The Terron 9 is expected to be sold here with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine outputting 164kW of power, matched to both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, and with gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures varying between 3320kg and 3500kg. Both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive layouts of the electric eTerron 9 have been approved for Australian roads, developing 200kW and 325kW respectively, which is significantly more than the 130kW rear-drive-only eT60. The eTerron 9's electric motors are fed by a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which can provide up to 430km of claimed driving range based on the WLTP test cycle in the dual-motor variant. It also features vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing owners to power external appliances and tools, with overseas examples featuring several 2.2kW sockets throughout the vehicle, plus an external 6.6kW connection. The Terron 9 measures a substantial 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, and has 220mm of ground clearance, making it 105mm longer, 97mm wider and 41mm taller than the T60 Max Plus on a 125mm longer wheelbase. The battery-powered eTerron 9, meantime, features a different grille and headlight treatment but shares identical dimensions to its turbo-diesel sibling, Government certification documents also show it will offer the same 3500kg braked towing capacity as the Terron 9 – well up on the eT60's 1000kg limit. Just as the Terron 9 will be pricier than the three-variant T60 range ($45,253-$53,674 drive-away), which is powered by a 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the eTerron 9 will be more expensive again. Pricing and specifications for the LDV Terron 9 and eTerron 9 will be announced closer to each model's Australian release. But while LDV says the eTerron 9 will bring improvements over the eT60 across almost every measurable aspect, its mid-2025 arrival will follow a flurry of new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute launches in Australia. These include the BYD Shark 6 PHEV launched earlier this year, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV launched last month and the Ford Ranger PHEV being launched this month. Those three plug-in hybrid utes will soon be joined by the JAC T9 PHEV and, potentially, PHEV versions of both the Mitsubishi Triton and next-generation Nissan Navara, as well as a hybridised version of the upcoming Kia Tasman, plus an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of the Radar/Riddara RD6, and perhaps the Deepal Hunter K50 EREV. In terms of all-electric utes, the eTerron 9 is expected to be joined by the Isuzu D-Max EV, Radar RD6 EV, Kia Tasman EV, JAC T9 EV and a bespoke electric Hyundai ute that could be called the T10, among others. MORE: 2025 LDV Terron 9 revealed Content originally sourced from: The 2025 LDV eTerron 9 has been spotted in all of its boxy glory in Sydney just weeks before its official launch in Australia. The electric ute was spied in the Royal National Park south of Sydney by a member of the BYD Shark Owners Club Australia group on Facebook. A spokesperson for LDV Australia told CarExpert that both the eTerron 9 – the successor for the pioneering LDV eT60 electric ute – and the related diesel-powered Terron 9 ute remain on target for local release around mid-year. They said there was no update on release timing, which had originally been scheduled for the first quarter of this year, nor on the progress of the local testing program being undertaken for the Chinese brand's all-new diesel-powered dual-cab. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The diesel Terron 9 will be sold alongside – and positioned above – the existing LDV T60 lineup. The latter remains one of Australia's cheapest 4×4 dual-cab utes and has just been upgraded for MY25 with more advanced safety tech and a 3500kg braked towing capacity upgrade for all variants. It's not clear whether the eTerron 9 you see here is part of the local Terron 9 testing program that started in November 2024, but we can see from its New South Wales number plate (FLC-72S) that it's one of two Terron 9 vehicles pictured in a press release to announce its commencement late last year. The other (FLC-72N) was a camouflaged Terron 9 that we understand has since undergone local validation work on its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including lane-keeping and speed sign recognition functions, as well as its multimedia and battery charging systems. Known as the Maxus eTerron 9 in China, where it was first revealed last September, the new battery-electric dual-cab was confirmed for release in Australia, as an LDV, in early November 2024. The Terron 9 is expected to be sold here with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine outputting 164kW of power, matched to both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, and with gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures varying between 3320kg and 3500kg. Both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive layouts of the electric eTerron 9 have been approved for Australian roads, developing 200kW and 325kW respectively, which is significantly more than the 130kW rear-drive-only eT60. The eTerron 9's electric motors are fed by a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which can provide up to 430km of claimed driving range based on the WLTP test cycle in the dual-motor variant. It also features vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing owners to power external appliances and tools, with overseas examples featuring several 2.2kW sockets throughout the vehicle, plus an external 6.6kW connection. The Terron 9 measures a substantial 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, and has 220mm of ground clearance, making it 105mm longer, 97mm wider and 41mm taller than the T60 Max Plus on a 125mm longer wheelbase. The battery-powered eTerron 9, meantime, features a different grille and headlight treatment but shares identical dimensions to its turbo-diesel sibling, Government certification documents also show it will offer the same 3500kg braked towing capacity as the Terron 9 – well up on the eT60's 1000kg limit. Just as the Terron 9 will be pricier than the three-variant T60 range ($45,253-$53,674 drive-away), which is powered by a 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the eTerron 9 will be more expensive again. Pricing and specifications for the LDV Terron 9 and eTerron 9 will be announced closer to each model's Australian release. But while LDV says the eTerron 9 will bring improvements over the eT60 across almost every measurable aspect, its mid-2025 arrival will follow a flurry of new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute launches in Australia. These include the BYD Shark 6 PHEV launched earlier this year, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV launched last month and the Ford Ranger PHEV being launched this month. Those three plug-in hybrid utes will soon be joined by the JAC T9 PHEV and, potentially, PHEV versions of both the Mitsubishi Triton and next-generation Nissan Navara, as well as a hybridised version of the upcoming Kia Tasman, plus an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of the Radar/Riddara RD6, and perhaps the Deepal Hunter K50 EREV. In terms of all-electric utes, the eTerron 9 is expected to be joined by the Isuzu D-Max EV, Radar RD6 EV, Kia Tasman EV, JAC T9 EV and a bespoke electric Hyundai ute that could be called the T10, among others. MORE: 2025 LDV Terron 9 revealed Content originally sourced from: The 2025 LDV eTerron 9 has been spotted in all of its boxy glory in Sydney just weeks before its official launch in Australia. The electric ute was spied in the Royal National Park south of Sydney by a member of the BYD Shark Owners Club Australia group on Facebook. A spokesperson for LDV Australia told CarExpert that both the eTerron 9 – the successor for the pioneering LDV eT60 electric ute – and the related diesel-powered Terron 9 ute remain on target for local release around mid-year. They said there was no update on release timing, which had originally been scheduled for the first quarter of this year, nor on the progress of the local testing program being undertaken for the Chinese brand's all-new diesel-powered dual-cab. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The diesel Terron 9 will be sold alongside – and positioned above – the existing LDV T60 lineup. The latter remains one of Australia's cheapest 4×4 dual-cab utes and has just been upgraded for MY25 with more advanced safety tech and a 3500kg braked towing capacity upgrade for all variants. It's not clear whether the eTerron 9 you see here is part of the local Terron 9 testing program that started in November 2024, but we can see from its New South Wales number plate (FLC-72S) that it's one of two Terron 9 vehicles pictured in a press release to announce its commencement late last year. The other (FLC-72N) was a camouflaged Terron 9 that we understand has since undergone local validation work on its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including lane-keeping and speed sign recognition functions, as well as its multimedia and battery charging systems. Known as the Maxus eTerron 9 in China, where it was first revealed last September, the new battery-electric dual-cab was confirmed for release in Australia, as an LDV, in early November 2024. The Terron 9 is expected to be sold here with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine outputting 164kW of power, matched to both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, and with gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures varying between 3320kg and 3500kg. Both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive layouts of the electric eTerron 9 have been approved for Australian roads, developing 200kW and 325kW respectively, which is significantly more than the 130kW rear-drive-only eT60. The eTerron 9's electric motors are fed by a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which can provide up to 430km of claimed driving range based on the WLTP test cycle in the dual-motor variant. It also features vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing owners to power external appliances and tools, with overseas examples featuring several 2.2kW sockets throughout the vehicle, plus an external 6.6kW connection. The Terron 9 measures a substantial 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, and has 220mm of ground clearance, making it 105mm longer, 97mm wider and 41mm taller than the T60 Max Plus on a 125mm longer wheelbase. The battery-powered eTerron 9, meantime, features a different grille and headlight treatment but shares identical dimensions to its turbo-diesel sibling, Government certification documents also show it will offer the same 3500kg braked towing capacity as the Terron 9 – well up on the eT60's 1000kg limit. Just as the Terron 9 will be pricier than the three-variant T60 range ($45,253-$53,674 drive-away), which is powered by a 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the eTerron 9 will be more expensive again. Pricing and specifications for the LDV Terron 9 and eTerron 9 will be announced closer to each model's Australian release. But while LDV says the eTerron 9 will bring improvements over the eT60 across almost every measurable aspect, its mid-2025 arrival will follow a flurry of new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute launches in Australia. These include the BYD Shark 6 PHEV launched earlier this year, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV launched last month and the Ford Ranger PHEV being launched this month. Those three plug-in hybrid utes will soon be joined by the JAC T9 PHEV and, potentially, PHEV versions of both the Mitsubishi Triton and next-generation Nissan Navara, as well as a hybridised version of the upcoming Kia Tasman, plus an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of the Radar/Riddara RD6, and perhaps the Deepal Hunter K50 EREV. In terms of all-electric utes, the eTerron 9 is expected to be joined by the Isuzu D-Max EV, Radar RD6 EV, Kia Tasman EV, JAC T9 EV and a bespoke electric Hyundai ute that could be called the T10, among others. MORE: 2025 LDV Terron 9 revealed Content originally sourced from: The 2025 LDV eTerron 9 has been spotted in all of its boxy glory in Sydney just weeks before its official launch in Australia. The electric ute was spied in the Royal National Park south of Sydney by a member of the BYD Shark Owners Club Australia group on Facebook. A spokesperson for LDV Australia told CarExpert that both the eTerron 9 – the successor for the pioneering LDV eT60 electric ute – and the related diesel-powered Terron 9 ute remain on target for local release around mid-year. They said there was no update on release timing, which had originally been scheduled for the first quarter of this year, nor on the progress of the local testing program being undertaken for the Chinese brand's all-new diesel-powered dual-cab. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The diesel Terron 9 will be sold alongside – and positioned above – the existing LDV T60 lineup. The latter remains one of Australia's cheapest 4×4 dual-cab utes and has just been upgraded for MY25 with more advanced safety tech and a 3500kg braked towing capacity upgrade for all variants. It's not clear whether the eTerron 9 you see here is part of the local Terron 9 testing program that started in November 2024, but we can see from its New South Wales number plate (FLC-72S) that it's one of two Terron 9 vehicles pictured in a press release to announce its commencement late last year. The other (FLC-72N) was a camouflaged Terron 9 that we understand has since undergone local validation work on its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including lane-keeping and speed sign recognition functions, as well as its multimedia and battery charging systems. Known as the Maxus eTerron 9 in China, where it was first revealed last September, the new battery-electric dual-cab was confirmed for release in Australia, as an LDV, in early November 2024. The Terron 9 is expected to be sold here with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine outputting 164kW of power, matched to both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, and with gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures varying between 3320kg and 3500kg. Both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive layouts of the electric eTerron 9 have been approved for Australian roads, developing 200kW and 325kW respectively, which is significantly more than the 130kW rear-drive-only eT60. The eTerron 9's electric motors are fed by a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which can provide up to 430km of claimed driving range based on the WLTP test cycle in the dual-motor variant. It also features vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing owners to power external appliances and tools, with overseas examples featuring several 2.2kW sockets throughout the vehicle, plus an external 6.6kW connection. The Terron 9 measures a substantial 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, and has 220mm of ground clearance, making it 105mm longer, 97mm wider and 41mm taller than the T60 Max Plus on a 125mm longer wheelbase. The battery-powered eTerron 9, meantime, features a different grille and headlight treatment but shares identical dimensions to its turbo-diesel sibling, Government certification documents also show it will offer the same 3500kg braked towing capacity as the Terron 9 – well up on the eT60's 1000kg limit. Just as the Terron 9 will be pricier than the three-variant T60 range ($45,253-$53,674 drive-away), which is powered by a 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the eTerron 9 will be more expensive again. Pricing and specifications for the LDV Terron 9 and eTerron 9 will be announced closer to each model's Australian release. But while LDV says the eTerron 9 will bring improvements over the eT60 across almost every measurable aspect, its mid-2025 arrival will follow a flurry of new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute launches in Australia. These include the BYD Shark 6 PHEV launched earlier this year, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV launched last month and the Ford Ranger PHEV being launched this month. Those three plug-in hybrid utes will soon be joined by the JAC T9 PHEV and, potentially, PHEV versions of both the Mitsubishi Triton and next-generation Nissan Navara, as well as a hybridised version of the upcoming Kia Tasman, plus an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of the Radar/Riddara RD6, and perhaps the Deepal Hunter K50 EREV. In terms of all-electric utes, the eTerron 9 is expected to be joined by the Isuzu D-Max EV, Radar RD6 EV, Kia Tasman EV, JAC T9 EV and a bespoke electric Hyundai ute that could be called the T10, among others. MORE: 2025 LDV Terron 9 revealed Content originally sourced from:
News.com.au
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
ACCC sues LDV over rusty utes
Australia's consumer watchdog has taken a Chinese ute brand to court over 'misleading' claims surrounding their off-road capability. The ACCC said it instituted proceedings in Federal Court against Ateco Automotive, the importer of LDV utes, alleging that the cars turned rusty when driven as advertised. A statement published by the ACCC claims LDV made 'misleading representations to consumers about the durability and suitability of particular models of LDV branded vehicles in breach of the Australian Consumer Law'. 'The ACCC alleges that those vehicles had a propensity to rust or corrode within five years of being manufactured,' it says. The ACCC says LDV 'made misleading representations' about the T60 ute and G10 van, by claiming they were 'durable and tough, and that they were suitable for use in, near, or on, a variety of environments and off-road terrains'. Advertising and marketing material showing cars driving in wet and muddy areas also misled customers about the car's capabilities, according to the ACCC. The government body said LDV received more than 5000 customer complaints regarding rust or corrosion between 2018 and 2024. Advertising for the model included statements such as 'The T60 is up to any challenge you care to take on – work or play, on-road or off … It turns the toughest tracks into a walk in the park', and 'Why take a long walk on the beach when you could take a drive in the LDV T60 Ute?' ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said 'a new car is a significant financial purchase, and consumers rightfully expect that the vehicle they purchase will live up to the quality and uses that it was advertised to include'. 'We allege that despite being aware of the propensity for the vehicles to rust, LDV continued to make representations for a number of years that the T60 and G10 vehicles were durable and suitable for use in a variety of terrains,' she said. 'As a result, we allege that LDV's conduct is likely to have caused harm to affected consumers, including because the propensity for rust or corrosion lowered the value of their vehicles, and because consumers lost the opportunity to make an informed decision that may have involved purchasing an alternative vehicle that did not carry the same risks.' LDV Australia says it 'acknowledges the announcement today by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in relation to the commencement of proceedings against LDV Australia in the Federal Court of Australia'.
Perth Now
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
'Rust-proof' utes under spotlight amid false ad claims
The local distributor of Chinese-made LDV vehicles is being sued for allegedly misleading consumers about how tough and durable their utes and vans are. LDV Australia portrayed its T60 Max ute and G10 van as "tough", "robust" and "built to stand up to the everyday and more" in advertisements shown for five years. The vehicles were shown driving on unsealed roads, beaches, rivers, dirt or gravel terrain. But the consumer watchdog alleges Australian LDV distributor Ateco did not warn consumers the two models rusted or corroded within five years of manufacture. Complaints about the corrosion and rust began months before Ateco first aired the ads in 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. More than 5000 complaints were received by the company by the time ads ended in November 2024. From 2018 to 2024, LDV's dealerships sold more than 60,000 T60 and G10 vehicle models, generating more than $1.5 billion. Ateco, which trades as LDV Australia, also advertised that the T60 ute could not develop rust or corrosion in the first 10 years of its manufacture, putting a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty on the model between 2019 and 2020, the commission alleged. The roads the models were driving on in the ads fast-tracked rust and corrosion, the commission said. The commission's chairwoman alleged Ateco's advertising - which ran on television, radio and online - might have caused harm to consumers. "Consumers rightfully expect that the vehicle they purchase will live up to the quality and uses that it was advertised to include," Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. "They lost the opportunity to make an informed decision that may have involved purchasing an alternative vehicle that did not carry the same risks." LDV Australia said it was disappointed the consumer watchdog had taken the issue to the Federal Court. "For 18 months, LDV Australia has been engaged in good discussions with the commission to resolve its concerns, and to provide remedies to consumers," general manager Dinesh Chinnappa said in a statement. "It is disappointing this process has ended in these legal proceedings ... and we look forward to defending the (commission's) allegations in court." Ateco has imported cars to Australia since 1985 and distributes Chinese-manufactured LDV vehicles through 102 dealerships across the country.
7NEWS
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
LDV Automotive Australia accused of misrepresenting durability of T60 and G10 models following rust concerns
A popular car company is accused of misleading Australian buyers about the quality of its vehicles after it emerged that thousands of complaints had been made about rust and corrosion. The consumer watchdog alleges Ateco Automotive, which trades as LDV Automotive Australia, promoted LDV-branded T60 utes and G10 vans (excluding the eT60 model) as 'durable and tough, and that they were suitable for use in, near, or on, a variety of environments and off-road terrains'. Between 2019 and 2024, online, TV, radio and social media advertisements portrayed the vehicles on beaches, near lakes and rivers, and on unsealed roads, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claims. An example of one allegedly misleading statement included: 'The T60 is up to any challenge you care to take on — work or play, on-road or off... It turns the toughest tracks into a walk in the park.' The ACCC said the rust and corrosion issue, which tended to happen 'within the first five years' of the cars being built, contradicted the sales pitch that the vehicles were 'durable and tough'. It said the problems 'increased' for cars taken off-road and actually used on the same surfaces as those in the promotions. It also alleges that LDV misled buyers when it advertised a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty between 2019 and 2020, saying by that point 'LDV was aware that rust or corrosion issues were prevalent in the T60 and G10 vehicle models'. Thousands of complaints More than 5000 consumer complaints about those exact issues were reported in those two models between 2018 and 2024, the ACCC said. 'We allege that despite being aware of the propensity for the vehicles to rust, LDV continued to make representations for a number of years that the T60 and G10 vehicles were durable and suitable for use in a variety of terrains,' ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. 'As a result, we allege that LDV's conduct is likely to have caused harm to affected consumers, including because the propensity for rust or corrosion lowered the value of their vehicles, and because consumers lost the opportunity to make an informed decision that may have involved purchasing an alternative vehicle that did not carry the same risks.' The ACCC argues LDV breached Australian consumer law and is seeking 'penalties, declarations, consumer redress, costs and other orders' through proceedings in the Federal Court. LDV Australia's general manager Dinesh Chinnappa said the company had engaged in 'good faith discussions' with the commission for 18 months to resolve concerns and 'provide remedies to consumers'. 'It is disappointing this process has ended in these legal proceedings,' Chinnappa said. 'LDV Australia takes its obligations under Australian consumer law seriously, and we look forward to defending the ACCC's allegations in court.' Ateco is the exclusive importer of LDV-branded vehicles in Australia, and distributes those cars through 102 dealerships throughout Australia. LDV's dealerships sold more than 60,000 T60 and G10 models between 2018 and 2024. Ateco also works with Maserati, Ram and Renault in Australia.
