New investment, new vision, new drive and new orders

Less than a year on from its acquisition by Russian firm GAZ, LDV have demonstrated its new confidence on the opening day of this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show.

“We have new investment, new vision, new drive and most importantly new orders,” said Steve Young, LDV’s chief executive.

Supported by chairman, Martin Leach, and from Russia, GAZ’s president, Eric Eberhardson, Steve Young revealed a whole range of new products from a new chassis cab range, to minibuses and MPT bi-purpose models. Two new engines were also announced.

Steve Young said: “MAXUS registrations are up by 76 per cent year on year compared with last year and we’ve increased the line rate by some 80 per cent. Productivity is up by 36 per cent and we have appointed 75 new employees at our Birmingham headquarters.

“Alongside the UK, we are also focusing on export markets. In the last week we have announced a partnership with the Weststar Group of Malaysia to develop the light commercial vehicle market in 20 countries beginning in Vietnam and Indonesia, followed by other Asean countries, Australia, New Zealand and the Gulf Co-operation Council states.

“Nearer home, we have appointed 15 new dealers in the Benelux region this month alone and will be signing a number of new dealers at the show from France and Spain.”

New MAXUS chassis cab range

LDV unveiled two new chassis cab models in the expanding range – a MAXUS tipper and a MAXUS dropside.

MAXUS Tipper

Key features of the new MAXUS tipper are:

Excellent payload of up to 1330kg
Smooth, flat steel deck – no external fixings or welds
Tough, double skinned aluminium sideboards
Forged steel safety hinges
Fast tip and descent with overload safety built in
Genuine 45 degree tip
Removable powder coated corner posts
Large discharge aperture
Robust steel headboard and gantry – that exceeds industry standards for cab protection
Light but tough construction
Quick, easy repairs through all bolted assembly
Stainless steel tailboard for added durability

MAXUS Dropside

The MAXUS dropside delivers:

Excellent payload of up to 1520kg
One-piece plywood floor panel for real durability
Tough double skinned aluminium sideboards
Forged steel safety hinges
Removable powder coated corner posts
Robust steel headboard and gantry – that exceeds industry standards for cab protection
Galvanised wire mesh to protect cab
Light but tough construction
Quick, easy repairs through all bolted assembly
Both vehicles feature:

2.5 CDi common rail direction injection, turbo charged and intercooled engines – 95PS, 120PS and 135PS
Power steering
Front wheel drive to deliver excellent traction and increased carrying capacity of up to 1860kg