LDV Australia has announced that its T60 ute and G10 van will comply with the upcoming Australian Design Rule (ADR) 98/00, which mandates autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for certain vehicle types from March 1, 2025. This move ensures that these popular models will continue to be available in the Australian market, addressing a crucial safety requirement that has become increasingly important in modern vehicles.
What's Changing?
The addition of AEB to the LDV T60 ute and G10 van represents a significant safety upgrade for these vehicles. Autonomous Emergency Braking is a critical safety feature that can detect potential collisions and automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time. This technology has been shown to reduce the severity of crashes and, in many cases, prevent them entirely.
LDV Australia has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the upgrades, stating only that "The LDV T60 ute and LDV G10 van will meet the upcoming requirements for ADR 98/00. We will have more information to share soon." This announcement suggests that the company is working diligently to implement the necessary changes to comply with the new regulations.
Why is This Significant?
The implementation of ADR 98/00 marks a significant step forward in vehicle safety standards for Australia. The rule mandates AEB for a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, people movers, and light commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle mass under 3.5 tonnes. This broad application underscores the Australian government's commitment to improving road safety across various vehicle categories.
Currently, most versions of the T60 ute and the entire G10 van range lack AEB, which could have potentially led to their removal from the market come March 1, 2025. By committing to this upgrade, LDV ensures the continued availability of these popular models in the Australian market, maintaining their competitive edge in the light commercial vehicle segment.
What About Current Models?
The current LDV lineup shows a mixed approach to AEB implementation. The T60 Max Plus, when equipped with an automatic transmission, already features AEB. However, this safety feature is absent in the manual transmission variant of the T60 Max Plus and the entire T60 Max range.
The G10 van, which serves as a more budget-friendly alternative to the diesel-powered Deliver 7, also currently lacks AEB.Interestingly, an Australian Government filing late last year revealed an updated G10 with minor exterior changes, borrowing a bumper design from the discontinued G10 people mover.
While these filings didn't include interior images, it's possible that more significant changes, including the addition of AEB, could be part of this update.
Market Impact and Future Outlook
The addition of AEB to the T60 ute and G10 van is likely to strengthen LDV's position in the Australian market. In 2023, the G10 was the fourth best-selling vehicle in its segment, with 2,843 deliveries. The T60 performed even better, with 6,302 units sold, plus an additional 28 examples of the electric eT60.
However, it's worth noting that these safety upgrades may come at a cost. Dealers have been informed of an upcoming price increase for the T60 Max from February 1, although the exact amount hasn't been disclosed. This price adjustment could be related to the implementation of new safety features.
What We Think
LDV's commitment to upgrading the T60 ute and G10 van demonstrates the company's dedication to meeting Australian safety standards and maintaining its competitive edge. The addition of AEB not only ensures compliance with ADR 98/00 but also significantly enhances the safety profile of these vehicles, potentially attracting more safety-conscious buyers.
While the upgrades are certainly positive, consumers should be prepared for potential price increases that may accompany these new features. It will be interesting to see how LDV balances the added cost of AEB implementation with maintaining the attractive pricing that has contributed to the success of models like the G10 van.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with a greater emphasis on safety and technology, LDV's proactive approach to meeting these new standards sets a positive example. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by manufacturers in keeping pace with regulatory requirements while maintaining competitive pricing and feature sets.
The coming months will be crucial as LDV releases more details about the specific upgrades and any associated pricing changes. For potential buyers, this period may present an opportunity to secure current models before any price increases take effect, while those prioritizing the latest safety features may want to wait for the updated versions with AEB.