LDV reveals big plans for the UK

Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2016   |   Author: James Dallas

One of the biggest stands at the show was taken by LDV, which has been resurrected by Chinese manufacturer SAIC having gone into administration in 2008.

The brand dedicated most space to its V80 panel vans (pictured), tipper, dropside and Luton. The V80 range has a starting price of £15,863, excluding VAT. Mark Barrett, LDV general manager for the UK and Ireland, said the pre-bodied conversions are available directly from LDV dealers, of which it currently has 11 in the UK.

VFS, based in Southampton, and Newcastle-based CPD Bodies carry out the conversions. All models come with a five-year/125,000-mile warranty plus five years roadside assistance.

The 2.5-litre 136hp V80 is based on the 2005 LDV Maxus.
Barrett explained that when SAIC bought LDV in 2010 it also purchased its intellectual property rights, enabling it to use the existing models, which, he claimed, SAIC had re-engineered and modernised.
LDV is to launch an EV80 electric van, unveiled at the CV Show, in the fourth quarter of 2016, which will have a payload ranging from 900kg to 1250kg.

The brand plans to launch a G10 medium-sized panel van in Q1 of next year and, Barrett told What Van?, it will introduce a SAIC-made LDV pick-up in the third quarter of 2017. He said the pick-up would have the largest dimensions in its class.
Barrett said SAIC would establish new platforms for the V80 in 2019.



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