LDV will be renamed Maxus in the UK as the Chinese-owned van maker begins to introduce an entirely new generation of light commercial vehicles.
The Maxus name is already in use where dealerships are being established in mainland Europe, and although there is some historical attachement to LDV in the UK, the change makes sense as a way of separating the new products from the old.
The current LDV range consists of a single large van model called the V80, first introduced in 2016 but based on the old LDV Maxus that was sold here between 2005 and 2009 – it is not an up-to-date product by any measure.
The new Maxus range, which should start arriving with dealers in the first half of 2020, will consist of the Deliver 9, a much more modern replacement for the the V80, and the eDeliver 3, which is a small purpose-built electric van.
When does LDV become Maxus?
The changeover is set to officially take place in April 2020, which is also when the first of the new models are set to go on sale.
Maxus is the name used for LDV’s products in China where they are built. The firm is owned by Chinese automotive giant SAIC, which acquired the rights to the old LDV Maxus in 2010.
As before, the new Maxus vans will be imported by UK and Ireland distributers The Harris Group, which took on the job in 2015, and has proved successful in re-establishing LDV at the value end of the van market.
The new Maxus range will continue to compete heavily on value, but promises to be much more sophisticated; as we found out when we visited them in China at the end of 2019.
Why is LDV changing name to Maxus?
CEO of The Harris Group, Denise Harris, said: ‘The LDV brand is much-loved by many loyal customers but, with the advent of new models on new platforms that will undoubtedly change brand perceptions, I am confident that the market will welcome the transition.’
Set to be completed on 3 April 2020, the Maxus rebrand will encompass all dealers’ signage and a new website: www.saicmaxus.co.uk (although it’s not yet up and running at the time of writing).
The two new Maxus vans will hit the market during the year, and as general manager of Maxus UK and Ireland, Mark Barrett, confirmed: ‘The impending launch of our diesel panel van, the Deliver 9 and the arrival of the company’s second EV model, the eDeliver 3, will give us the most comprehensive and versatile offering to date.’
Full details, specifications and pricing have yet to be confirmed, though we have plenty of preliminary info in our individual news stories on both new models. Everything should be confirmed by the time they make their public debut at the 2020 CV Show, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC at the end of April.
Also read:
>> LDV Maxus eDeliver 3 electric van details
>> LDV Maxus Deliver 9 large van details
>> The Parkers guide to electric vans
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