MG’s electric U9 ute is on track to enter the Australian market, potentially outpacing its LDV eTerron 9 counterpart despite previous delays with the latter. While LDV initially aimed for an early 2025 launch, updates have been scarce, leaving MG poised to take the lead in bringing this electric pickup to Australian roads.
Key Specifications and Performance
The U9 EV boasts a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, delivering a combined power output of 325kW (200kW from one motor, 125kW from the other). It features a 3500kg braked towing capacity and a 685kg payload, with buyers able to choose from 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheel options.
The vehicle is expected to utilize a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate battery – the same as the LDV eTerron 9 – potentially offering around 430km of WLTP-rated range. This positions it competitively against other electric and hybrid ute options entering the market.
Design Distinctions and Safety Ratings
Exterior styling shows subtle differences between the MG U9 EV and the LDV eTerron 9. The MG features a distinctive full-width light bar connecting C-shaped daytime running lights, with diamond-patterned openings below the sensor array – a departure from the LDV’s design. Both vehicles share a similar rear end, with vertical tail-light clusters linked by a light bar.
Safety ratings are already established through Euro NCAP’s testing of the Maxus (LDV) eTerron 9, with the MG variant expected to achieve a five-star rating in Europe under the P9 EV nameplate.
Market Context and Competition
The arrival of the U9 EV comes as the electric ute segment struggles to gain traction in Australia, with the LDV eT60 selling in limited numbers. The unibody KGM Musso EV is slated for a 2025 release, but plug-in hybrid options are rapidly gaining popularity.
Notably, the BYD Shark 6 has become Australia’s best-selling PHEV, even surpassing traditional ute models like the Mazda BT-50. The Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV have also entered the market, with further competition expected from Chery, JAC, and Nissan.
The U9 EV’s launch represents a step forward in electric ute availability in Australia, but whether it will thrive in a market currently favoring plug-in hybrids remains to be seen.
The pricing of the U9 EV is currently unclear, though the diesel-powered U9 range starts from $52,990 drive-away. The success of the electric version will depend on competitive pricing and consumer demand in a market where initial hype around electric utes has cooled off, mirroring trends in the US where sales of models like the Tesla Cybertruck have declined.
