LDV Australia leaves door open for PHEV utes to take on BYD Shark 6

Maxus – known in Australia as LDV – recently previewed plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the utes it offers here, and the Chinese brand hasn’t ruled out releasing one of them Down Under.

"As one of the pioneers in the electric ute and van markets locally, LDV Australia constantly monitors changing consumer trends and new technology options,” said an LDV Australia spokesperson.

"If a plug-in hybrid version of an LDV ute were to become available for the Australian market – and it suited local capability requirements – we believe it would be a great addition to our portfolio of vehicles."

While that doesn’t confirm the new PHEV versions of the T70 and Terron 9 are headed for Australia, it indicates LDV Australia will evaluate them for our market should they be made available in right-hand drive.

Looking for your next car? We'll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence.

The reference to “local capability requirements” likely concerns competitive payload figures and a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

LDV previously confirmed the eTerron 9 for Australia back in November 2024, with the electric ute due in early 2025. However, it has never appeared in local showrooms.

It’s unclear if LDV would instead look to bring a PHEV ute, given that’s where the activity is in this segment.

LDV still technically offers an electric ute in the eT60, but it sells in paltry numbers. The only other electric ute currently available in Australia is the KGM Musso EV, a different beast entirely with more car-like unibody construction.

Fellow SAIC Motor-owned brand MG – distributed separately in Australia from LDV, which is handled by Ateco Automotive – has confirmed the U9 EV, a twin to the LDV eTerron 9, for a local launch. However, it hasn’t confirmed release timing.

Likewise, the Isuzu D-Max EV was confirmed for Australia back in 2024, but the Japanese brand has yet to confirm local launch timing.

PHEV utes are proliferating much more rapidly in Australia.

The BYD Shark 6 proved an enormous success out of the gates when it arrived here early in 2025, followed shortly thereafter by the Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV.

GWM has confirmed a second PHEV ute, the Cannon Hi4-T, while JAC will imminently launch the Hunter PHEV.

Should LDV Australia launch both the T70 PHEV and Terron 9 PHEV, they’d theoretically line up neatly with the GWM Cannon Hi4-T and Cannon Alpha PHEV.

We don’t yet have technical specifications for either ute, however.

At a presentation at this year's Beijing motor show, the company said it had developed a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a mechanical four-wheel drive system and total system outputs of 330kW and 800Nm. It didn't confirm whether both utes would offer these outputs, nor did it release any information on battery capacity, range or charge rates.

LDV/Maxus has only revealed a single image of the T70 PHEV, which wears the same revised front-end styling of the updated T70, as our T60 is known in China.

This tougher front-end design coincides with an overhauled interior featuring a larger, free-standing 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a flatter centre console with the MG U9’s airplane-like gear shifter.

Likewise, there’s just one image of the Terron 9 PHEV, which appears to feature a new front bumper and grille, the latter incorporating what appears to be some illuminated segments flanking the badge.

The vehicles appeared in a presentation in Beijing along with an unnamed and likely smaller ute referred to as 'New Pickup-B', which like the Terron 9 doesn't have a separate tub.

LDV has never offered PHEVs in Australia, but it beat numerous major brands to market with electric commercial vehicles.

Besides the aforementioned eT60, LDV also offers the eDeliver 7 and eDeliver 9 vans, plus the Mifa 9 people mover.

Last year, LDV delivered 162 EVs in Australia, down 28.3 per cent on the previous year.

Despite this drop, the eDeliver 7 outsold the rival Mercedes-Benz eVito, though the eDeliver 9 was bested by the eSprinter.

MORE: Explore the LDV T60 showroom
MORE: Explore the LDV Deliver 9 showroom