LDV vans are manufactured in China by SAIC Maxus (part of the Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation), a Fortune Global 500 company that builds over six million vehicles per year. In 2010, SAIC, the largest automotive company in China, acquired the LDV brand. By 2020, SAIC plans to launch a new SUV, a 4×4 Pick-up and the G10.
The Harris Group has already started building an LDV dealer network in both markets and the medium-term goal is to create a strategic network of dealers in the UK and Ireland.
“It is a great honor for the Harris Group to have won the distribution rights for LDV from SAIC,” commented Liam O'Neill, VP of The Harris Group. “There are a lot of similarities between how business is done in China and how it is conducted in our markets. Building strong, personal relationships that are built on mutual trust was critical to the success of the agreement.
“The fact that the chairman of SAIC, Mr Lan Qingsong, the deputy general Mr Xu Qiuhua and their senior colleagues from China have flown in to join us for today’s launch is testament to the company’s commitment to rebuilding the LDV brand. It is also indicative of the strong bond that has developed between our two companies,” he said.
The LDV V80 is currently available in four models; Short Wheel Base, Low Roof (SLR); Long Wheel Base, Medium Roof (MMR) and Long Wheel Base, High Roof (LHR) and Chassis Cab (CC) with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) of 3,200KG or 3,500KG.
LDV V80 vans are powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, producing up to 100 KW (136 BHP) of power and 330 Nm of torque. Two standard pallets can be carried in tandem in the load area of all models, courtesy of the 1380mm width between the wheel arches and rear barn doors that open to 270 degrees, which make for easier loading – particularly with a forklift.
The large load area offers a substantial 6.4m3 of volume in the short wheel base model, which extends to 10.4m3 and 11.6m3 on the long wheel base medium and high roof models respectively.
Safety equipment includes dual airbags, rear parking sensors and four wheel disc brakes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD. Air conditioning, remote keyless entry, radio with MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, power windows and electric heated mirrors are also standard.
The warranty on all LDV V80 vans is for five years or 200,000km (124,000 miles), and includes five years roadside assistance cover as standard.