The MG U9 could get an electric brother in Australia – and it could launch its LDV cousin.
Australian LDV dealer Ateco Automotive confirmed in November 2024 that it would introduce the eTerron 9 in early 2025, although this timeframe continued to slip despite vehicles being spied testing locally. There is currently no current start time available.
Now MG – another brand owned by SAIC Motor, but which does its own distribution – has registered this vehicle’s twin for Australian roads, but has not yet confirmed the launch date.
“While we cannot confirm specific upcoming models or launch times, we are pleased with the strong response to the MG U9 so far,” an MG Motor Australia spokesperson said.
“MG Motor is committed to supporting lower transport emissions and providing consumers with a variety of vehicle options while giving Australian drivers choice.”
We have also contacted LDV for an update on the eTerron 9 for Australia.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
According to the regulatory filing, the U9 EV features a dual-motor four-wheel drivetrain, with the motors producing 200 kW and 125 kW of power respectively, for a total system output of 325 kW.
The braked towing capacity is stated at 3500 kg, with a payload of 685 kg, while the U9 EV is equipped with a choice of 18-, 19- or 20-inch wheels.
While battery capacity is not listed in these documents, the eTerron 9 – which has the same performance and braked towing capacity – has a 102 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, good for a WLTP range of 430 km.
The U9 EV was another MG model leaked by Euro NCAP, the listing of which – complete with exterior photo – appeared on the safety agency’s website last year, as did the new plug-in hybrid version of the QS large SUV.
The five-star Euro NCAP rating was based on testing of the Maxus (LDV) eTerron 9, with the MG set to carry the P9 EV nameplate in Europe. However, it has not yet gone on sale there.
Exterior photos in both the Australian certification application and Euro NCAP results show the electric MG’s front end is similar to, but not identical to, that of its LDV twin.
There is a full-width light bar connecting the C-shaped daytime running lights within the headlight clusters, with the bar sitting above a closed grille area.
However, unlike the LDV, below this area there are seemingly diamond-shaped openings on both sides of the sensor array.
Overall, there is a different front bumper with what appears to be yellow vertical accents on both ends.
At the back, the two subs are virtually identical and both feature vertical taillight clusters connected by a light bar running the full width of the tailgate. The rear of the two electric cars also most closely resembles their diesel-powered counterparts.
It’s unclear how much different MG and LDV will be elsewhere. The diesel-powered versions differ in the rear suspension and minor interior details such as the gearshifts. The MG also offers a unique model with a Smart Hatch, which allows the barrier between the tub and the cabin to be lowered to make room for longer items.
It’s also unclear where the U9 EV would be priced. The diesel-powered U9 models currently retail between $52,990 and $60,990.
LDV was the first company with an electric vehicle in Australia, launching the single-engine, rear-wheel-drive frame-on-frame eT60 here in 2023.
But this segment has proven to be a real ghost town: the eT60 is sold in small numbers and the next electric car doesn’t arrive until 2025 in the form of the self-supporting KGM Musso EV, which will be offered with either single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive.
In contrast, the US has seen a boom in electric vehicles, although the initial hype surrounding the segment has faded – sales of the Tesla Cybertruck fell by almost half in 2025 and the Ford F-150 Lightning is being replaced by a range-extended electric vehicle (EREV).
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are much more popular in Australia than electric cars. The BYD Shark 6 was launched last year as the first such vehicle in Australia, quickly followed by the Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, followed by rivals from Chery, JAC and Nissan.
The Shark 6 in particular is so popular that it became Australia’s best-selling PHEV last year, even outselling smaller models such as the Mazda BT-50.
MORE: Explore the MG U9 showroom
