SAIC Maxus is responding to local reports around its MG Extender (LDV T60) ute to avoid any “unnecessary misunderstanding” in the New Zealand market.
The ute, which recently launched in Thailand, was rumoured to be heading for New Zealand with the same badge.
However, SAIC Maxus overseas markets business manager Yang JunLing says the badge-engineered MG version of the LDV T60 will be confined to the Thai market only as previously reported by Auto Media.
“We would like to share with you that last week we have successfully launched our pickup (the LDV T60) in Thailand with the MG badge with the name of MG Extender, which was assembled in the Thailand manufacturing base and will be distributed by the MG network in Thailand only,” Yang says.
Yang says SAIC Maxus will only be marketing and selling the pickup in New Zealand via Great Lake Motor Distributors (GLMD) and only branded as the LDV T60, which is already familiar to New Zealand buyers.
“We hereby confirm with you that we, SAIC Maxus, will not badge our pickup with MG and sell it in the New Zealand market.”
The LDV T60 was the first Chinese vehicle to achieve a 5-star ANCAP safety rating at the first attempt and is available through LDV dealers in New Zealand with a 2.8 litre VM Motori turbodiesel powerplant.
All models are 4WD, with either single or double cab configurations, cab/chassis with alloy or galvanized steel or traditional well-side decks in either elite or luxury trim levels. Options of six speed manual or six speed automatic transmissions are available, with pricing starting at $26,990 plus GST.
