The booming Australian dual-cab ute market will grow in October when the 2017 LDV T60 launches.
THE 2017 LDV T60 launches here in October although pricing and final specification hasn’t yet been announced. According to LDV, the range of T60 offerings will include single- and double-cab variants in two- and four-wheel drive and with either manual or automatic transmissions. There will only be two trim lines available.
“This model line-up covers the significant part of the market and these versions will be joined by additional variants as required to meet changing market demands,” says Dinesh Chinnappa, General Manager of LDV Australia.
To date, LDV’s presence in Australia has been based purely on its van range. “Since its launch in Australia LDV has focused on its van and people mover ranges with the V80 and then with the G10 van,” said Chinnappa.
“Sales of this type of vehicle are primarily in metro areas, so that is where we have concentrated our dealers and our business. But the T60 will have a much broader appeal across the whole country. The Ute market is much bigger than the van market and it is booming. In preparation for the arrival of the T60 we are opening new dealers in country areas and enlarging our urban representation. There is little doubt that from day one, the T60 will be LDV’s best-selling model in Australia.”
According to LDV, the T60 will sit in the middle of the ute market in terms of size and performance from its petrol and diesel engines and, you would presume, price too.
“It is too early to provide specific price points for the new LDV T60 range,” explains Chinnappa.
“But we are determined that it will build upon the value for money proposition of the LDV van range. The T60 will provide Australia Ute buyers with a highly competitive new choice, whether they are looking for a working Ute or a recreational family vehicle. The T60 will become the top selling model in our range and significantly increase our sales volumes in Australia.”
Question: If the LDV T60 arrives with a five-star ANCAP rating and a decent equipment and features list, could it become a player?
MY17 Dualcab Triton 4x4s in GLX and GLX+ specs are currently $32,990 and $34,990 driveaway respectively…..the LDV ute would have to be better than it to even be worth considering, let alone buying….
It will need to be around $24K, 5 star ANCAP and have a 5 year warranty to have a chance.
I agree on the safety and warranty front, however I think that LDV really need to be competitive across the board, as I suspect I’m not the only one who would seriously consider either a brand new triton or a second hand ute less than 5yrs old over the current Chinese (and Indian) offerings….
Without exact specifications I’ll reserve judgement on LDV for now, but some of the other brands really need to lift their game to have any chance on our market…
Agreed, it actually has to be good not just cheap. The looks of this ute are actually not bad (Apart from the Buickesque chrome waterfall grille). I have my doubts thought and ATECO is distributing.