MG ute caught on camera – and it's just a rebadged LDV

12/19/2024 06:16 PM

The first images of the upcoming MG ute have surfaced online, ahead of a showroom arrival due next year or 2026.

But, as predicted, it will not be a dedicated model for MG – and will instead be a rebranded version of the new Terron 9 ute from sister brand LDV under the SAIC Motor group.

Images published by Car News China show what is badged as an MG P9 on the back of a transport trailer, and while the ute doesn’t wear a rear bumper, it is very clearly an LDV Terron 9 by another name.

A large MG badge on the tailgate replaces LDV lettering, and the wheel design appears to be slightly different, but otherwise the pair appear to be identical.

MORE: MG ute all but confirmed for Australia

The front end – where MG and LDV may build in some differentiation – isn’t visible, but the rear-side photo suggests much of the MG ute’s headlight design is shared with the diesel Terron 9, which has different lights to the electric version.

It would not be the first time MG has rebadged models from elsewhere in the SAIC Motor group, including a version of the current LDV T60 ute it sells in South-East Asian markets as the MG Extender.

As with the P9, that vehicle differs from its LDV donor in minor features – primarily badges – only.

The MG ute would be the company’s first diesel-powered vehicle to be sold in Australia, if it is to share the LDV version’s 164kW 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.

An electric variant may also come to market, mirroring the LDV eTerron 9’s 325kW dual-motor configuration and 102kWh battery rated for a 430km driving range in European WLTP testing.

While the prototype is badged MG P9, it remains to be seen if that is the name it carries to market globally.

In Australia, the P9 badge has been trademarked by Volvo, as it has previously branded variants of its electric cars under the ‘P’ designation, such as P8.

MG executives have identified the ute as a key model needed to achieve its goal of becoming one of Australia’s Top Five best-selling car brands by 2027, and breaking into the Top Three by 2030.

“When I went back to China, I chatted with the [SAIC] chairman and I said, ‘You expect me better, better, but I told you, in Australia, without a ute you can’t achieve Top Three, Top Five.’ That’s it,” MG CEO Peter Ciao told media including Drive last month.

“I’ve already announced my target, right?”

Asked if it was fair to assume MG would not announce a sales target such as this without knowing it had the right models coming to achieve them, Ciao and MG Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher both said: “Yes.”

Arrival timing for the MG ute is yet to be confirmed, but it may be in showrooms as soon as 2025 to get a full year of sales under its belt in 2026, before MG shoots for the Top Five in 2027.

MG Australia head of product Akshat Ahuja said: “We would love to have a ute tomorrow, right? But good things take time.

“All I can tell you is we’re working really hard on it. From our side, we are trying to make it as early as possible. But then again, there’s a process. We also don’t want to take shortcuts.

“We just want to make sure that we provide a good quality, well-tested product in the market – but also not take too long.”

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