LDV distributor Ateco Australia says the up to date Chinese language-made T60 ute has what it takes to problem Australia’s light-commercial market leaders Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Ateco stated it has “excessive hopes” for the extra highly effective and inexpensive T60 that arrives with an entry value of $35,779 drive-away for ABN holders.
Addressing the media through a pre-prepared video presentation, Ateco public relations supervisor Oliver Peagam stated the model has proven exponential progress since its launch in Australia in 2014, with year-to-date gross sales of the T60 already forward of the complete 12 months mannequin gross sales of 2020.
“Now that it has been refreshed and rejuvenated, and with the addition of the top-spec T60 MAX, the T60 is able to take it straight to the phase heavyweights – the Toyota HiLux and the Ford Ranger,” h stated.
“We all know that may increase eyebrows… however make no mistake, with the brand new T60 we’re unashamedly concentrating on Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux, primary and two available in the market respectively.
“There’s little doubt that 2020 and 2021 noticed the continuance of a most difficult set of buying and selling situations, and but… however regardless of all issues COVID-19, LDV completed 2020 with 9323 autos offered – a large uplift of practically 44 per cent on the earlier 12 months.
“In 2021, we’re already monitoring properly forward of the identical interval final 12 months. LDV is already forward of our full 12 months 2020 (gross sales) quantity on the finish of October – in the course of the midst of a worldwide pandemic, no much less.”
Mr Peagam stated the worth for cash provided within the T60, its spectacular security credentials, and substantial guarantee was assembly the wants of each commerce and leisure patrons in probably the most aggressive new automobile segments within the nation, including that the up to date mannequin is “not seen as only a working truck”.
“LDV presents a considerate and aggressive product portfolio, and we’re not blind to what’s pushed our extraordinary progress – the T60. The phase it performs in is rising considerably. In truth, during the last 20 years it has virtually quadrupled, and now represents round 18 per cent of whole automobile gross sales,” he stated.
“It’s a phase that may make or break a model, which is why we’ve broadened the enchantment of the T60 in order that it’s not seen as only a working truck.
“It’s now a life-style automobile, permitting homeowners to benefit from the nice Australian open air with their household and mates, whereas nonetheless having room for all their tenting gear, motorbikes, and the power to tow a trailer.”
Regardless of present transport delays and the continued international microprocessor scarcity, Mr Peagam stated LDV is assured it will possibly proceed to offer Australian patrons with automobile and says the T60 ute is predicted to take a “vital 4 per cent market share” by the top of 2021.
He stated the provision of a strong 160kW/500Nm bi-turbo engine and eight-speed automated transmission provides the T60 the facility it must beat each four-cylinder contender within the phase, outgunning the Ranger and HiLux by 3kW and 10kW respectively.
“The T60 is extra highly effective than the market-leading 157kW Ford Ranger XL Biturbo. Moreover, the brand new T60 MAX PRO automated enjoys a large value benefit to the equal Ranger,” he stated.
“At simply $37,884 drive-away it’s over $20,000 cheaper than the market chief, or to place it one other manner, the Ford Ranger XL is 53.1 per cent dearer than an equal T60.
“LDV is a mainstream model now. We’ve offered properly over 35,000 models since our official launch, and over 18,000 T60s, which make up a major proportion of our whole gross sales. The up to date T60 is sweet and able to construct on that sturdy platform. Solely LDV is providing high-end efficiency for on a regular basis Australians.”
LDV has offered 12,128 new autos in Australia to this point this 12 months, 84.7 per cent greater than the identical time final 12 months.
