LDV is preparing to expand its presence in Australia, and in particular, the ute market with the upcoming LDV Terron 9. It will also be offered in ‘eTerron 9’ fully electric form. Prototypes have arrived in the country for extensive local testing, with the vehicles expected to land in showrooms by mid-2025.
The testing program has been designed to evaluate the ute’s performance on a wide range of Australian roads, including highways, regional routes, and off road throughout NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. Engineers are focusing on refining advanced safety systems, such as speed-sign recognition and lane-keeping assistance, to ensure the new models meet the demands of Australian conditions.
The LDV Terron 9 will not replace the existing T60 range but will instead complement it, broadening the company’s appeal in the highly competitive ute market. LDV Australia general manager, Dinesh Chinnappa, said:
“We want to make sure when a ute buyer walks into an LDV showroom, we have a vehicle that offers value across a range of price points. We are not going to leave our traditional ute buyers behind. Rather, the LDV Terron ute series will broaden our offering across the ute segment.”
In terms of size, the Terron 9 is 105mm longer, 97mm wider, and 41mm taller than the T60, while riding on a wheelbase that stretches 125mm longer.
The electric eTerron 9 will aim to cater to segments such as fleets and mining operations that are apparently seeking factory-built electric solutions. Chinnappa noted that these buyers have been calling for an alternative to aftermarket diesel-to-electric conversions, and the eTerron 9 is set to deliver a ready-made option directly from the showroom.
Building on the modest sales of the eT60 electric ute (about 100 sold in total), which debuted in late 2022, the eTerron 9 has been developed as an entirely new model with advancements in design, technology, and practicality. And since it is larger, it is set to offer more space and comfort for passengers.
Pricing and detailed specifications for the LDV Terron 9 and eTerron 9 will be announced closer to its launch. The first deliveries are scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2025.
