The Australian distributor for Chinese manufacturer LDV has confirmed it will be launching the T60 ute in Australia on October 1, with the D90 SUV to follow on November 15. The T60 ute will be powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, developing 150 Hp of power and 360 Nm of torque. Buyers will be offered the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed auto, along with two- and all-wheel drivetrains, depending on variant.

LDV’s first pickup will also have the choice of three body styles in Australia, single cab, double cab and cab chassis – while a larger ‘mega cab’ could join the range later on – and two trim levels. Safety features include six airbags along with the usual electronic driver aids like stability control, traction control, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution – however, there’s no sign of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) or adaptive cruise control.


Australian models will be offered with features like LED headlights with LED daytime-running lights, lane departure warning and a 360-degree camera system depending on the model. Pricing for the T60 is still to be confirmed at this stage, but the company’s local arm has promised ‘very competitive’ positioning in the ute segment.

Meanwhile, the D90 SUV will land in Australian showrooms six weeks after its utilitarian stablemate, with the local launch scheduled for November 15, nearly two months later than originally expected. The brand’s first SUV will duke it out with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.


Sharing its ladder-frame chassis with the T60, the D90 will be offered solely with petrol power – a 224 Hp/360 Nm 2.0-litre turbo to be exact – though a new turbo-diesel, which is currently under development, will eventually join the line-up. The D90 offers 2-3-2 and 2-2-3 seating options in its home market of China, though it’s unclear at this stage whether one or both of these configurations will make it Down Under – our guess is that the more familiar 2-3-2 layout will be the sole option.

Like its ute cousin, pricing for the D90 is still to be announced, though you can expect the Chinese SUV to undercut its sharply-priced Korean rivals. Speaking with CarAdvice at the Shanghai motor show in April, Dinesh Chinnappa, general manager for LDV’s local distributor Ateco Automotive, said to expect a small model range with high levels of standard equipment.


Specifications for local models are yet to be detailed, though the Chinese market gets options like quilted leather seats, a 12.3-inch central infotainment system with satellite navigation and internet-based app connectivity, and a fully-digital instrument cluster.