Today (Wednesday) in Dublin saw the Chinese join forces with the Irish for the relaunch of the LDV (Leyland DAF) vans, with the new V80 range. Originally founded in 1993, Irish buyers might recall that LDV vans were produced in Birmingham until 2008, when the recession halted production and closed the plant. The last registrations in Ireland were in 2009.

LDV is now owned and manufactured by SAIC, a Fortune 500 company that builds over 6 million vehicles each year in China. SAIC also own MG, and builds cars in conjunction with Volkswagen and General Motors in China for the Chinese market.

SAIC has just awarded the distribution rights for the UK & Ireland to the Harris Group, one of Ireland’s oldest, family-owned automotive distributors, located on the Naas Rd. in Dublin. Harris is the company that first introduced the Hino truck from Japan to Ireland back in the 1960’s.

The company has beaten off stiff competition from all over the UK and Ireland to win the LDV contract from SAIC, which it says will have invested $2.2 billion by 2020 in growing and developing the LDV brand globally.

SAIC’s commitment to developing the brand in Ireland and the UK was evidenced by its Chairman and Deputy General flying in from China for the launch event.

The timing for the Harris Group could not be better with massive growth in the Irish light commercial vehicle (LCV) market, with sales up over 40% in 2015.

The LDV V80 was engineered in the UK. It will be offered in three panel van sizes – a low-roof version with short wheel base (6.9 cubic metros capacity); a medium roof version with a long wheel base (10.2 cubic metres capacity); and a high-roof version with a long wheel base (11.4 metros capacity).

A chassis cab version will also be available, as will a crew cab and minibus version.

Power for the V80 range comes from the established Italian built VM Eco-D 2.5 16V turbo-diesel (136PS) engine with intercooler. It features a Bosch electronically controlled common rail direct fuel injection system. It comes with a six-speed transmission

Also coming down the tracks for the brand is a new G10 MPV, which is expected to be launched in 2017, and it should additionally be available in a van version.

According to Liam O Neill, VP of the Harris Group, today’s launch is great news both for van drivers and for the future of the light commercial vehicle category in the U.K. and Irish markets.

“Commercial van sales were the first to go when the recession kicked in, but the market for this category has been revived with sales in Ireland growing by more than 40% in 2015, outperforming both the passenger and heavy vehicle categories,” said Mr. O Neill. “We anticipate significant further growth for 2016 and beyond and this positive prediction is shared by the team at SAIC Maxus, which is showing huge support for the re-launch of the LDV brand.

“It is a great honor for the Harris Group to have won the distribution rights for LDV from SAIC. There was very stiff competition for the distribution of the LDV brand from both the U.K. and Irish markets but I believe our team’s focus, along with our extensive network and our long-term plan for LDV, together with our passion to bring this iconic brand back to the market was a winning combination.

“There are a lot of similarities between how business is done in China and how it is conducted in our markets. Building strong, personal relationships that are built on mutual trust was critical to the success of the agreement. The fact that the Chairman of SAIC, Mr Lan Qingsong, the Deputy General Mr Xu Qiuhua and their senior colleagues from China have flown in to join us for today’s launch is testament to the company’s commitment to rebuilding the LDV brand. It is also indicative of the strong bond that has developed between our two companies.”The Harris Group has already started building an LDV dealer network in both markets and the medium-term goal is to create a strategic network of dealers in the U.K. and Ireland.

“Today’s launch is phase one of LDV’s return to our markets. The V80 is a great van with all the right credentials,” continued O Neill. “I am confident that the future for LDV isn’t just bright, it’s shining and there are already a number of events planned for later this year. The Harris Group and SAIC will have a substantial stand at the CV show in Birmingham to showcase the LDV brand in April and has many other product offerings coming on stream right through to 2018, with the addition of new LDV variants including a G10 panel van and MPV, a 4×4 pick-up and an LDV SUV and the return of the much-loved LDV Minibus range”

Four Models

The LDV V80 is currently available in four models; Short Wheel Base, Low Roof (SLR); Long Wheel Base, Medium Roof (MMR) and Long Wheel Base, High Roof (LHR) and Chassis Cab (CC) with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) of 3.200KG or 3.500KG

LDV V80 vans are powered by an advanced, economic 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, designed by Italian engine manufacturer VM Motori. The engine produces up to 100 KW (136 BHP) of power and 330 Nm of torque transversely mounted on the frame front wheel drive. The engine employs a common rail fuel injection system for improved combustion efficiency, as well as low fuel consumption. The spec is completed with a very slick, dash mounted six speed gearbox.

The V80 offers car-like handling and driver comfort and is loaded with smart features such as rear parking sensors; Air Conditioning; Cruse Control; daytime running lights, mirror indicators and fog lamps.

There’s also the added benefit of recessed load tie down points and a heavy duty cargo mat. Two standard pallets can be carried in tandem in the load area of all models, courtesy of the 1380mm width between the wheel arches and rear barn doors that open to 270 degrees, which make for easier loading – particularly with a forklift. Its low floor clearance offers greater room, payload and ease of loading, so there’s an LDV for every job. LDV V80 is built for capacity and efficiency. Its large load area offers a substantial 6.4m3 of volume in the short wheel base model, which extends to a massive 10.4m3 and 11.6m3 on the long wheel base medium and high roof models respectively.

Standard safety equipment includes dual airbags, rear parking sensors and four wheel disc brakes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution). For both driver and passenger there’s no compromise on comfort, as the LDV V80 comes complete with air conditioning, remote keyless entry, radio with MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, power windows and electric heated mirrors.

The warranty on all LDV V80 vans is for five years or 200,000k and includes five years roadside assistance cover as standard.