The LDV Maxus is a light commercial van model, originally produced by LDV Limited. It was launched at the end of 2004. The model was jointly developed under the LD100 programme code by LDV and Daewoo Motor, prior to Daewoo entering receivership in November 2000, in a five year, £500 million development programme. It was intended to replace LDV's Convoy model, and Daewoo Motor Polska's Lublin II model. A narrower derivative sharing the bodysides of the SWB low-roof versions was partially developed under the BD100 codename to replace LDV's Pilot model, but this never reached production.

LDV Maxus
Overview
ManufacturerLDV Limited
SAIC Motor
Also calledLDV V80 (Australia)

Maxus V80 (China)
Maxus LD100 (Russia)
Weststar LDV Maxus (Malaysia)[1]
MG V80 (Thailand)[2]
Fargo Fora (Turkey)[3]

TEMSA Maxus (Turkey)
Production2004–2009 (LDV)
2011–present (SAIC)[4]
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassLight commercial vehicle (M)
Body styleVan
Minibus
Chassis cab
LayoutFront-engine, Front wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine2.5 L I4 VM R425 DOHC diesel
Electric motorFuel cell-powered 115 kW (154 hp) 350 N⋅m (260 lbf⋅ft) (FCV80)
Transmission5 speed manual
5-speed automated manual
6-speed manual
6-speed automated manual
6-speed automatic
1-speed fixed gear ratio (FCV80)
Battery14.3 kWh Lithium-ion phosphate (FCV80)
Range190 mi (305 km) (FCV80)
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,100–3,850 mm (122.0–151.6 in)
Length4,920–5,700 mm (193.7–224.4 in)
Width1,998 mm (78.7 in)
Height2,345–2,552 mm (92.3–100.5 in)
Curb weight2,061–2,380 kg (4,544–5,247 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorLDV Pilot
LDV Convoy
LDV Cub
FSC Lublin (indirect)
SuccessorMaxus V90 (China)

Following General Motors' acquisition of Daewoo, LDV secured the exclusive rights to the vehicle, purchased the tooling, and moved it from Daewoo's plant in Lublin, Poland to the LDV site in Washwood Heath, Birmingham. A version of the Maxus is manufactured by GAZ.

In March 2011, the Chinese company SAIC Motor launched a new commercial vehicle marque called Maxus, following its acquisition of the intellectual property of LDV in 2010.[5][6] The LDV Maxus model was relaunched by SAIC as the V80 in June 2011.[5]

History

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LDV Maxus 2.8T

Since its launch, the Maxus received good reviews and sold well across the United Kingdom. The van was used on the fleet basis by companies, such as National Grid, Royal Mail, and various services of the British Police.

Not long after its launch, the LDV Maxus was awarded the Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine "Van of the Year 2005", and has since won several further awards including "Van of the Year", "Minibus of the Year" and "Combi of the Year".[citation needed]

LDV was acquired in July 2006 by the Russian automotive giant GAZ, that had plans to start production of the Maxus in one of its Russian factories by 2010, but the LDV factory went into administration in June 2009, due to lack of funds from Russian owner GAZ.

About 800 workers were laid off during this period, leaving the whole van building operation in question.[7] It had been hoped that the Malaysian company Weststar LDV, which distributed the Maxus under licence in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, would acquire LDV, but the deal fell through the week before LDV entered administration.[8]

In 2008, LDV manufactured 10,000 vans, generating sales of about £150 million, but lost £54 million in 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, before the failure of the company.[9]

In August 2010, China's SAIC, which bought most of the LDV assets, planned to launch the Chinese version of Maxus in 2011,[10] and in April 2011 announced the Maxus would be called the Datong (meaning big wisdom and smooth in Chinese) under its new Maxus brand.[citation needed]

The Maxus was available in two wheelbases, three roof heights, and a choice of 2.8t, 3.2t, and 3.5t GVW. The vehicle was also available in these roles:

Maxus V80

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Available from the summer of 2011, the Chinese built V80, marketed under the new Maxus marque, is available in three versions: standard, logistics, and deluxe. The Minibus is available from 7 to 16 seaters, in two trim levels. The choice of two wheelbases remains, with two different versions of the 2.5-litre diesel engine producing 88 or 100 kW.[11]

Colour choices include crystal violet, olive-brown and aurora silver for deluxe variants,[12] blanc white, aurora silver and lava grey for standard[13] and the logistics variant only with blanc white.[14] The Maxus V80 is exported to English speaking countries under the LDV brand. Australia and New Zealand were the first to receive exports in 2012.[15]

In 2013, the Maxus V80 was exported to Thailand, in May 2014, to Colombia,[16] in May 2015, to Ireland,[17] and in 2016, to the United Kingdom.[18]

In November 2023, the Maxus V80 received a massive update for the 2024 model year in the Chinese domestic market. The V80 facelift was named the Xintu V80 (新途 V80), listing the post facelift model under a series of Xintu vans.[19]

Maxus FCV80

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A plug-in hybrid fuel cell version of the V80 the FCV80 a light passenger was launched in November 2017 at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition.[20][21] The FCV80 has an electric motor that delivers 100 kilowatts (130 hp) and 350 N⋅m (260 lbf⋅ft) of torque.[22][23] It has a 14.3 kWh Lithium-Ion battery that can be charged (plug-in AC) in four hours.[22][23] It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), two 100L hydrogen tanks that can be refueled in 3 minutes, a driving range of 305 kilometres (190 mi) and a range of 500 kilometres (310 mi) at 40 km/h (25 mph).[22][23] The FCV80 can seat 10 to 14 passengers.[23][22] In 2020, the FCV80 had recorded sales of 297 vehicles.[24]

Maxus EV80 and EV80 Pro

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The Maxus EV80 and EV80 Plus are electric versions of the V80, and was introduced to the Chinese market in August 2020 alongside the EV90 electric van.[25] The EV80 is powered by a permanent-magnet synchronous motor developing 120kW and 280N·m. The batteries are 51.5, 53, and 71kWh Lithium iron phosphate batteries supporting a pure electric range from 202 to 250km.[26]

Launched in 2023, the Maxus EV80 Pro is a more premium and updated variant of the regular EV80. Following the 2024 model year of the ICE powered V80, the vehicle is massively restyled with a completely different front end and new tail lamps. The EV80 is powered by the same permanent-magnet synchronous motor developing 120kW and 280N·m from the EV80 Plus. The EV80 Pro is equipped with 77kWh Lithium iron phosphate batteries, and only takes 43 minutes to charge to 80%. The official range unveiled by Maxus is 320km.[27]

MG V80

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The V80 is marketed as the MG V80 in Thailand since March 2019.[28] The Thai-spec V80 is powered by a 2.5-litre diesel-turbo sourced from VM Motori. Outputs are rated at 136 hp and 330Nm. There are two transmission types to choose from: six-speed manual; or single-clutch automatic (automated manual).

References

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  1. ^ "Weststar LDV Sdn Bhd - MAXUS - Built for Professionals". Weststarldv.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  2. ^ "All NEW MG V80 รถตู้ 11 ที่นั่ง ดีเซล 2.5 เทอร์โบ เตรียมเปิดตัวที่งาน Motor Show 2019". headlightmag.com. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Fargo Fora". Askam. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  4. ^ "The customers were invited to visit MAXUS Wuxi Plant". SAIC Maxus. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b "SAIC launched new brand Maxus for vans". China Car Times. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  6. ^ "SAIC plans to sell MAXUS van globally in H2". Reuters. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  7. ^ "LDV administrator axes 810 staff at vanmaker". The Telegraph. 9 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Weststar pulls out of LDV rescue". BBC.co.uk. 2 June 2009.
  9. ^ "Van maker LDV collapses into administration". The Guardian. 8 June 2009.
  10. ^ "SAIC to Resurrect LDV Maxus". ChinaAutoWeb.com.
  11. ^ "Configuration Parameters". SAIC Maxus. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  12. ^ "China Auto Web".
  13. ^ "China Auto Web".
  14. ^ "China Auto Web".
  15. ^ "Birmingham van maker LDV rises from ashes abroad". Birmingham Post. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  16. ^ Marca Maxus Ingreso Oficialmente Mercado Colombiano V80 [dead link]
  17. ^ "News : LDV Returns! Well, to Ireland at least". 8 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Home". aintreetruckandvan.co.uk.
  19. ^ Guo, Chen (6 November 2023). "售10.78万起 上汽大通多款新车上市". autohome.com.cn. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  20. ^ "SAIC's innovative vehicles shine at industry fair". SAIC Motor (Press release). 7 November 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  21. ^ "引领清洁能源变革 上汽大通FCV80燃料电池车上市". SAIC Maxus (in Chinese). 27 November 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  22. ^ a b c d "了解你的FCV80 - FCV80燃料电池客车". SAIC MAXUS (in Chinese). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  23. ^ a b c d Zhongyi, Wu (29 September 2019). "[原创]上汽大通FCV80 揭秘首款氢燃料电池汽车". 爱卡汽车 (in Chinese). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  24. ^ Gilkes, Dan (3 September 2020). "The Chinese contender". Transport Engineer. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  25. ^ Liu, Dong (24 August 2020). "新增EV90 上汽大通MAXUS四款新车将上市". autohome.com.cn. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  26. ^ Guo, Chen (26 December 2022). "微涨 上汽大通EV80 PLUS售价/配置调价". autohome.com.cn. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  27. ^ Liu, Dong (5 July 2023). "售24.18-24.98万 上汽大通EV80 PRO上市". autohome.com.cn. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Check out this 11-seater van from MG. Could it land in PH?". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
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