Chinese-owned carmaker MG looks to be closer to officially unveiling a new ute, and its upcoming dual-cab could be the one which finally comes to Australia.
CarNewsChina shared a photo of what’s badged as the MG P9 on the back of a tow truck in China, missing its rear bumper but otherwise being a complete vehicle.
If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s a rebadged version of the Maxus Star X, which has already been confirmed to be sold in Australia as the LDV Terron 9.
While MG and LDV are both owned by the same parent company, SAIC Motor, they operate separately in Australia. MG distributes its own vehicles, while LDV is distributed by Ateco.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Image credit: CarNewsChina
MG Motor Australia has been vocal about its ambitions to have a ute on sale in Australia, suggesting it’s critical in its plans to be one of the best-selling brands.
“In Australia, without a ute, you’ll never get a chance to stand on the top three,” MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao told CarExpert last month.
The company’s chief commercial officer Giles Belcher added: “Our plan is to be top five by the end of 2027 and top three by the end of 2030. You can’t do it without a ute, so connect the dots”.
While MG already has a ute on sale in Thailand, the Extender, this is a rebadged LDV T60, and has been ruled out from Australia.
LDV Terron 9 and eTerron 9
MG is no stranger to selling rebadging SAIC Motor products available globally for sale in Australia, however it remains to be seen whether it would be happy selling a vehicle which is already on sale with another badge locally.
“We assess many, many parts. Our parent company is huge, different brands, massive product range,” said Mr Belcher in November.
“We assess everything on its own merits and if we think it suits the Australian market, then we will do our best to get that product.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a particular segment we rule out, it’s just a matter of what products our parent company is developing or has, and then we’ll assess that product for Australia on its own merits.”
A rebadged Maxus Star X/LDV Terron 9 could mount a strong case for MG in Australia.
Government approval documents have shown the Terron 9 will be offered in Australia with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 164kW of power.
CarNewsChina reports this engine can produce up to 520Nm and drive either the rear or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Terron 9 measures 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, with 220mm of running clearance.
It’s also available as an electric vehicle (EV), badged as the eTerron 9, which features a slightly revised front design.
Both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive layouts have been approved for sale in Australia, developing 200kW and 325kW respectively,
The eTerron 9’s electric motors are fed by a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which can provide up to 430km of claimed driving range based on the WLTP test cycle in the dual-motor variant.
If MG was to bring the P9 to Australia, it would join one of the most competitive and high-volume segments in the new vehicle market.
Between January and November 2024, utes accounted for almost 19 per cent of all new vehicle sales, split between 11 brands.
MORE: MG Ute: Chinese brand promises Ranger, HiLux rival for Australia
MORE: MG wants to take on HiLux, Ranger with new ute… eventually
MORE: 2025 LDV Terron 9: Australian testing underway for bigger, bolder Ranger rival
