They hinted at it. That is all we have so far. LDV Australia left the door ajar for plug-in hybrid versions of its local ute range to fight the growing tide of BYD, GWM, and Ford hybrids down here.
“If a plug-in hybrid version of anLDV ute were to become available… we believe it would be a good addition to our portfolio.”
Big talk for a “might happen” scenario. But read between the lines. The “local capability” phrase they kept using? That’s code for towing. If the PHEV version of the T70 or the new Terron 9 can tow 3.5 tonnes without melting, it’s on the radar.
Currently? They aren’t selling them. The full-electric eT70 is technically here. The eT60 still sits in the lineup. But let’s be real. LDV sells electric vehicles like nobody’s business. Literally. Just 162 units last year. A steep 28% drop. Even the van sector isn’t safe—the eDeliver 9 got smoked by the Mercedes eSprinter, though the smaller eDeliver 7 still outperformed the eVito. Respect where due, I guess.
So why PHEVs? Because the EV ute market is stalling out. The BYD Shark 6 arrived in early 2021 and shook up the segment immediately. Then the Ford Ranger PHEV landed. Then GWM’s Alpha PHEV. Now JAC’s Hunter PHEV is waiting in the wings.
Meanwhile, the full-electric options are playing the waiting game. The Isuzu D-Max EV? Announced in 2023, but launch timing? Still silent. The MG U9 (basically an LDV eT70 re-skinned) has a local date promised but no firm day on the calendar yet.
LDV is sitting in Beijing. They showed off the tech there. A 330kW PHEV powertrain. 800Nm of torque. Mechanical AWD. That is serious torque for a mid-size truck. It beats most current rivals on paper. But range? Battery size? Charge speeds? Total radio silence.
There is one photo of the T70 PPEV. It looks… angrier. Updated front end matches the T60 update. Inside, the center console was gutted. They slapped in a 12.8-inch free-standing screen and borrowed an airplane-style gear selector straight from the MG U9.
Then there’s the Terron 9. Only one image. It looks distinct. Illuminated segments in the grille? Maybe. It doesn’t have a tray like the T70. It’s more van-like, but LDV calls it a pickup. They also showed a mystery ute at Beijing dubbed ‘New Pickup-B’. No name. No specs. Just vibes.
Why wait for EVs to catch on? Maybe they realize buyers aren’t there yet. Or maybe the supply chain isn’t. Ateco (LDV) and SAIC (MG) operate separately here. That creates friction. Or opportunity? Who knows.
We need numbers. Real ones. 330kW is pretty. It does not tow its own weight in the Australian outback until proven otherwise.
LDV missed the EV boat by trying to sail before the wind picked up. Maybe hybrids are the raft they grab instead.
