'Not durable and tough': ACCC alleges LDV misled buyers with 'durable and tough' claims of LDV T60 ute and G10 delivery van

Chinese commercial vehicle brand LDV is being taken to court by Australia’s competition and consumer watchdog over claims its cars are not reliable or tough.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today issued a media release detailing its claims against LDV which is distributed in Australia through private importer, Ateco Automotive.

The importer has responded, saying it has tried to work with the ACCC and that the legal actions are “disappointing”.

The claims relate to the T60 pick-up (but not the electric eT60) and G10 mid-size delivery vans built in China.

The ACCC says between April 2019 and November 2024, LDV made “misleading representations” to consumers about the two models, with the company claiming they were “durable and tough, and that they were suitable for use in, near, or on, a variety of environments and off-road terrains”.

The ACCC alleges in its claim that the two models are prone to rust or corrosion within five years of the date of manufacture and that as a result, the T60 and G10 were “not durable and tough”.

It’s alleged the models are more likely to rust when they are housed near or on particular terrains and environments.

According to the ACCC, LDV advertised the G10 and T60 online, on television, radio and social media in environments like beaches, lakes, rivers, unsealed and gravel roads and terrain.

The ACCC also alleges “false or misleading representations” by LDV in advertising a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty for the T60, given the ute did have a propensity to rust or corrode.

Further, the ACCC alleges LDV was aware of the T60 and G10 rust and corrosion issues by April 2019 and that LDV’s representations of the models were false or misleading as the brand didn’t have a basis to make such representations.

LDV received more than 5000 complaints from G10 and T60 customers about rust or corrosion between January 2018 and November 2024.

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said a new car is a “significant financial purchase” and buyers should expect the product to live up to its advertised promise.

“We allege that despite being aware of the propensity for the vehicles to rust, LDV continued to make representations for a number of years that the T60 and G10 vehicles were durable and suitable for use in a variety of terrains,” Cass-Gottlieb said.

“As a result, we allege that LDV’s conduct is likely to have caused harm to affected consumers, including because the propensity for rust or corrosion lowered the value of their vehicles, and because consumers lost the opportunity to make an informed decision that may have involved purchasing an alternative vehicle that did not carry the same risks.”

In a statement, LDV Australia said it acknowledged the announcement by the ACCC.

LDV Australia General Manager Dinesh Chinnappa said the company would defend itself against the allegations.

“For 18 months LDV Australia has been engaged in good faith discussions with the Commission in an attempt to resolve its concerns, and to provide remedies to consumers. It is disappointing this process has ended in these legal proceedings.

“LDV Australia takes its obligations under Australian Consumer Law seriously, and we look forward to defending the ACCC’s allegations in court.”

According to the ACCC, LDV has sold a combined total of 60,000 examples of the G10 and T60 in Australia between 2018 and 2024.

The ACCC is seeking “penalties, declarations, consumer redress, costs and other orders”.