Maxus Datong uses tech from Great Britain's LDV

SHANGHAI - China's biggest carmaker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) has moved to further consolidate its leading position with its own brand of commercial vans.

Based on technologies acquired from British commercial van maker LDV in 2009, SAIC's Maxus Datong was officially launched on Feb 28 in Shanghai.

The new brand will broaden SAIC's commercial vehicle portfolio that also includes both heavy and light duty trucks and buses.

The Maxus Datong is made at its plant in Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province, which has a production capacity of 50,000 units annually.

The first batch of light commercial vans is expected to debut at April's Auto Shanghai 2011.

SAIC Motor said it will begin selling the vans globally in the second half of the year.

Xiao Guopu, vice-president of SAIC, said the company's annual commercial vehicle sales are expected to reach 400,000 to 500,000 units by 2015.

The Maxus model produced by LDV received good reviews and sold well across the UK since its launch in 2004. It is used in fleets including the Royal Mail.

"The Maxus Datong is an international brand for SAIC, together with the Roewe and MG sedans. It is an important part in our overall commercial vehicle strategy," Xiao said.