LDV goes modular

Chinese brand LDV, which is known as Maxus in other parts of the world, is planning to bring to market flexible vehicle architecture that will be compatible with alternative-energy powertrains.

It's not a new idea, but the scope of the project is broader than most.

The company already uses one (monocoque) platform for its G50 people mover, EV30 electric van and the newly-announced D60 SUV, but while Maxus/LDV has already previewed a fuel-cell people mover at this month's Shanghai motor show, that (cut-away) concept was based around the larger G20 model, a restyled, more luxurious variant derived from the LDV G10.

In announcing MIFA ('Maxus Intelligent Flexible Architecture'), company spokesman Zhou Yan told journalists visiting Shanghai last week that the new platform would be sufficiently flexible to accommodate up to three different powertrain types and at least three different top hats.

"This is the Maxus Intelligent Flexible Architecture... we are going to plan [for] a modularisation and commonisation platform in future. It can be commonised with MPV [people mover], SUV and also pick-up..." said Zhou, who is the Advanced Planning Senior Manager for SAIC Maxus.

The mention of 'pick-up' gives the game away; the new architecture will be a replacement for the 'body-on-frame' chassis currently supporting the T60 pick-up and D90 SUV.

According to Zhou, the new platform will be able to accommodate "EV and FCV" (electric vehicle and fuel-cell vehicle) powertrain technology as well as conventional types.

SAIC Motor's announcement closely follows the revelation from Great Wall that it will introduce an electric version of its new pick-up and recent reports that even the conservative Toyota HiLux is expected to offer a hybrid variant in future.