2017 LDV T60 on sale from October

LDV will enter the ultra-competitive Australian ute market this October with the release of its T60 pick-up, revealed at last year's Guagzhou motor show, to try and steal sales away from market-favourites, the Toyota HiLux and Ford's Ranger.

Promising a range of different configurations – including single and double cabs with two- and four-wheel drive available in manual or automatic – the T60 will also arrive with an ultra-competitive price and high levels of standard equipment, according to LDV.

While LDV general manager Dinesh Chinnappa said the launch is still too far away to confirm pricing, he confirmed it will be a "value for money proposition."

"It's too early to provide specific price points for the new LDV T60 range," he said. "The T60 will provide Australia ute buyers with a highly competitive new choice, whether they are looking for a working ute or a recreational family vehicle."

Pricing is expected to start somewhere between $20-25,000 to place the LDV T60 amongst range openers from Toyota, Nissan, Mahindra and Foton, as well as compatriot Chinese brands JMC and Great Wall.

However, while the price tag is yet to be decided, LDV has settled on a 110kW 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine powering 4WD dual cab manual and automatic T60s, as well as manual 2WD and 4WD cab chassis variants, for the launch line-up.

Petrol-powered T60s could make use of the 2.4-litre atmo four-cylinder found in its G10 stablemate, which produces 104kW/200Nm, or a turbocharged 165kW/330Nm 2.0-litre unit found in the same model.

Two specification levels will be on offer, one likely aimed at tradies looking for a workhorse and the other targeted towards weekend use, while three driving modes is also expected to arrive in the T60, with drivers able to switch between eco, normal and power settings.

LDV will likely bring its T60 to market with a host of safety features including six airbags, parking sensors, reversing camera, 360-degree surround view cameras and a driver fatigue warning system, and all models sold will come with a three year/100,000km warranty.

Mr Chinnappa said he expects the T60 to become the Chinese brand's best-selling model, surpassing the G10, when it goes on sale later this year.

"The T60 will have a much broader appeal across the whole country," he said. "The ute market is much bigger than the van market and it is booming.

"There is little doubt that from day one, the T60 will be LDV's best-selling model in Australia. This model line-up covers the significant part of the market and these versions will be joined by additional variants as required to meet changing market demands."

What does LDV need to do to make a dent in the mega-popular ute and pick-up truck market? Tell us what you think in the comments below.