The LDV V80 is older than even the outgoing Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda 6, and like those models it has now gotten the axe in Australia.
LDV Australia has confirmed the aged van already ceased production in China last year, and only limited stock remains locally.
It’s priced from $33,990 drive-away for ABN holders for the base short-wheelbase, low-roof variant with a manual transmission, and tops out at $42,990 drive-away for the long-wheelbase, high-roof variant with an automated manual transmission.
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Its axing comes shortly before a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) mandates autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for all passenger cars, SUVs, and ‘light goods vehicles’ on sale from March 1, 2025.
Unlike the V80, LDV Australia says the G10 van – which launched here in 2015 – “will meet the upcoming requirements for ADR 98/00”, indicating it’ll receive AEB.
The V80 not only lacks any form of AEB, it also lacks any kind of active safety technology like which can be found in the much newer Deliver 7 and Deliver 9 vans.
Even more disappointingly, the V80 has just two airbags. The Deliver 7, in contrast, not only has dual front airbags but also dual side and curtain ‘bags.
The V80 doesn’t have a current safety rating from ANCAP, with its previous two-star result from 2013 expiring on January 1, 2023.
All V80 vehicles are powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine sourced from VM Motori, offering 100kW of power and 330Nm of torque, and the choice of a six-speed manual or an automated manual.
The V80 was the vehicle with which LDV was launched in Australia back in 2014, but it’s even older than that.
It was developed by LDV prior to the marque’s acquisition by SAIC Motor, and first entered production back in 2004.
That makes it older than the outgoing Mitsubishi ASX, which entered production in 2010, and the Mazda 6, which started rolling off the factory line in 2012.
However, the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series still holds the title of Australia’s oldest model, dating back to 1984.
From its local launch to the end of 2024, LDV delivered 5060 V80s in Australia including 112 examples of the short-lived V80 Bus. Its best year was 2023, with 596 examples delivered.
Last year, LDV delivered 347 examples – well below its own G10 van (2843), but slightly ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Vito (399) and Peugeot Expert (320).
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Thai-market MG V80
The V80 has had a long and interesting history, even if it hasn’t changed much in over 20 years.
It had reportedly been developed with Daewoo, which held a stake in the former LDV entity prior to its own financial crisis. When the Korean company was acquired by General Motors, the vehicle and tooling was handed over to LDV.
LDV was subsequently acquired by Russia’s GAZ, before China’s SAIC eventually secured the intellectual property rights to the brand – though in most markets, LDV is known as Maxus, which was the original name of the V80 van.
The V80 wears MG badging in Thailand, and was previously sold by Turkish firm Askam under the Fargo name – once a division of the old Chrysler Corporation.
MORE: Everything LDV V80
