Sophisticated new LDV vans to make UK return in weeks – targeting SMEs

SOPHISTICATED new LDV vans to make UK return in weeks line up in Dublin with the first 16 UK dealers to be announced early next month and the vans all set for shipping from Ireland aimed at SMEs.

Irish distribution group Harris has the UK and Ireland supply rights and is already celebrating a 280-van order with five-year renewal option for the sophisticated LDV V80 from the Irish post office.

That beat  the likes of Ford Transit, GM Vivaro and VW Transporter – and not just on price.

The V80 is expected to start at round £17,150 in the UK for a sophisticated machine light years and a thousand technical innovations away from the predecessor that faded out in 2009 under Russian GAZ ownership.

The reborn LDV brand is now Chinese-owned, by SAIC Maxus – a division of the company that also owns MG. The vehicles, with UK design input, are built in China and shipped in complete form, complete with miles per hour speedos.

Harris Group marketing and new product development director Chris Haughton said: “It is not every day a brand is launched or brought back to life and there is a great deal of interest. LDV had a chequered past but there has been very substantial investment and we are confident it has a great future as the ultimate business model.”

He said they were targeting SMEs rather than large fleets, “for the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker” to establish the brand quickly and get out into the dealer network for personal service, saying leasing companies had taken over much of the buying direct from the manufacturers to supply larger fleets.

The V80, which is heavily revised version of the previous Maxis van and powered by a 2.5-litre 136bhp diesel engine from Italian engine manufacturer VM Motori, will be available in short wheelbase low roof, long wheelbase medium roof, long wheelbase high roof and chassis cab versions.

A total 6.4 cubic metres is claimed for the short wheelbase V80, with the long wheelbase versions with medium and high roofs offering 10.4m3 and 11.6m3 respectively.

V80 equipment is comprehensive and includes rear parking sensors, air conditioning, cruise control and daytime running lights, while inside, the vehicle features Bluetooth, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual airbags and a radio with MP3 connectivity.

A five-year 200,000 mile warranty, with five-years’ roadside assistance comes as standard with all new LDV vans and should give confidence about the longevity of these vans.

SAIC has also announced a $2.2bn investment in the LDV brand that will eventually result in an all-new 4×4 pick-up and even a new version of the G10 people carrier. Harris Group, which has a 50-acre site outside Dublin, is also looking ahead to two other Chinese brand launches – one for a heavy duty truck, the other a bus.

• LDV will use this year’s CV Show in Birmingham to showcase the revitalised brand.