The LDV story & the Luxuary Maxus

The rebirth of the Maxus light commercial vehicle in China

Earlier this year, SAIC acquired LDV from the United Kingdom in a very low-key purchase, perhaps the industry that are not too many. LDV is a British company specializing in the production of vans and light bus, the largest annual producton numbers before the bankruptcy of 13,000. Today we have exposed the formerly Maxus's van, which was born in 2005.

LDV Maxus is the United Kingdom and South Korea's GM Daewoo Motor last 5 years, spend 50 million euros to build, listed at the end of 2004. It used to be the British "professional car and light truck cargo magazine" (Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine) named 2005 van of the year, derived from its light-bus also was named the Minibus of the year model. Russia's Gorky Auto Group in 2006 the acquisition of LDV, precisely because this model has its eyes on the potential and plans to bring this to the Russian-made. However, the financial crisis of 2008 resulted that this all came to naught. SAIC curve this year, after the acquisition of LDV, Maxus has been finally in China reborn.

LDV SAIC acquired earlier this year after the production equipment will be moved to Wuxi, and Nanjing Auto's commercial vehicle production line. The Sohu exclusive car models received this official resulting spy photos.



In the modeling style, SAIC did not do much changes to the original Maxus, brand identity, not to change. The front face is basically designed to keep the original car's appearance. Including headlamps group, none of the intake grille and bumper make changes. According to information we received view, Shanghai Automotive will substantially upgrade interior and electronic configuration.

Also will be equipped with ESP

All vehicles will be standard car ABS, which is consistent with the current passenger car and light van models configuration trends; and highly equipped version will be a parking sensor, tire pressure monitoring system, GPS navigation systems, heaters, and dual zone air conditioning and other rich configuration. Tire pressure monitoring equipment which will be the first applied to the chamber board.

Power, the same truck with 2.5L engine and the 2.8T, 3.2T and 3.5T choice of three petrol engines, while SAIC made, it only retained power diesel engine machine, and continue to be well-known Italian manufacturer of diesel engines Enterprise VM Motori companies, this 2.5L diesel engine maximum power 88Kw/4000Rpm, the maximum output torque 300Nm/2000Rpm. Wia transmission may come from the modern five-speed stick shift.

Maxus chassis can serve as a multi-purpose use, it can be developed on the basis of small vans, light bus (10-17 seats), small trucks, etc., is a more all-round chassis. SAIC will greatly enrich the area in the light commercial vehicle product line, and further established the domestic status of SAIC. This model is expected to be at the end of 2011 debut, when the Ford Transit and other products will become a direct competitor. And because SAIC and Fiat commercial vehicles in the field in partnership, Maxus and Fiat's products may not directly compete

Who are they? LDV's life course description

SAIC bought Ssangyong failed, the industry generally believe SAIC will rest for some time. But proved not the case. SAIC did not stop the desire for expansion, but this time they are very low key.

LDV car is how a business? LDV was established in 1993, formerly known as British Leyland Motor Group Commercial Vehicle Division. Leyland car is to save the British Government in 1968, become British car, bring under its British Rover, Triumph and Jaguar merger of three companies formed Automotive Group. However, Leyland's has not set up to save the British automotive industry, the Japanese car push into the UK market, Leyland company is also in trouble. In 1977, Leyland cars and Honda, has begun the production of Honda. In 1986, Sir Graham Day after the head of Executive Leyland companies, including Jaguar, Rover brands were sold. Which was later acquired by SAIC-Rover is being sold at British Airways group. The LDV was formed in 1993 as the Leyland DAF independent commercial company, soon renamed the LDV Motors Limited.

Unfortunate LDV's way of existence. 2005, LDV car was acquired by Sun Capital Partner USA, in July 2006 has been assigned to the Gorky Automotive Group in Russia, Russian plans in 2010 to bring the latest Russian-made models of Maxus. However, the sudden end the global financial crisis has LDV failed to escape the fate of bankruptcy protection, in December 2008 Gorky Automotive Group announced that LDV discontinued and dismissed more than 800 staff. June 2009, LDV formally entered bankruptcy protection. October 15, 2009, the Company was a local company called Eco Concept acquisition.

The Eco Concept is a newly established company, its proprietor, is a British Chinese - Dr Li Qu. Her father was once an important veteran in Nanjing Automobile Group. She in 2005 when the Phoenix Group, the UK investment adviser, when the Phoenix Rover Holdings bankruptcy acquisition, was her matchmaking, the Nanjing Auto, Brilliance has joined the ranks of foreign-funded enterprises to buy this, the final Nanjing Auto and SAIC successfully acquired Rover. The SAIC bought LDV, is once again joined hands with Dr Li the results was obtained.

Steven211 wrote:That's interesting, so is LDV ever going to come back to the UK marker and what is going to happen to the vast factory, a wise idea would be for SAIC to get it and make MG's there as well as LDV.