The most advanced ute in Australia will be an electric pick-up from China.
LDV claims it will beat the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning to Australia with a high-performance electric ute.
LDV general manager Dinesh Chinnappa announced on Wednesday that the brand would launch a tough-looking electric pick-up based on LDV’s Maxus GST concept car in a few months’ time.
“Today LDV is confirming publicly that this vehicle is coming to Australia and it is scheduled to be in your local LDV dealers in 2024. The game has changed.”
The car will be a production version of LDV’s Maxus GST concept car, a show car that promised to send 746kW and 1120Nm to the ground via electric motors mounted in each wheel.
Full details surrounding the electric ute will be confirmed closer to its launch in the second half of next year.
Chinnappa said the new machine would be significantly more capable than the two-wheel-drive, 130kW LDV eT60 sold for $92,990 plus on-road costs.
“We are talking four-wheel-drive capable, and a sizeable pick-up … bigger than the current T60
“The numbers are interesting. Power won’t be an issue.”
The new machine is likely to come with a six-figure price tag worthy of a powerful electric ute.
“It won’t be [cheap],” Chinnappa said.
“It doesn’t need to be. In the era of electrification and the EV rollout program, you’re talking about brands that are leading the technology development platforms.
“China has gone around legacy manufacturers that have 150 years experience building internal combustion engines.
“They’re not playing catch-up. They have technology that the others haven’t invested in.”
The new machine will replace the current LDV eT60. It will be followed by an internal combustion engine-powered ute on the same platform.
Xie Jiayue, of LDV parent company SAIC motors, told reporters that the company was working on a range of commercial vehicle batteries with up to 100kWh of electrical storage.
He said cars with electric motors in each wheel are around the corner, promising to make off-loading and tight urban manoeuvring easier than before.
The upcoming ute is likely to feature what the brand describes as an “immersive digital cockpit” with entertainment sourced from the internet.
Semi-autonomous driver aids should also be part of the deal.
LDV also plans to introduce a smaller cousin to its eDeliver 9 electric van.
The LDV eDeliver 7 electric van will reach showrooms in early 2024. Final prices and specifications for the car have not been announced.