- The new LDV Deliver 9 campervan starts at just AU$ 89,990 drive-away in Australia.
- The factory conversion is based on the long-wheelbase, high-roof variant of the LCV.
- It includes a kitchen, bathroom, dining area, double bed, and plenty of storage.
After establishing a foothold in Western markets with everything from SUVs to pickup trucks, Chinese brands are now eyeing more niche territory, turning their attention to the growing appetite for ready-made campervans.
Among those responding to the trend is China’s LDV, which has just launched the Deliver 9 campervan in Australia, a factory-built package tailored for life on the road, offered at around half the price of the similarly-sized VW Crafter Kampervan.
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Built on the long-wheelbase, high-roof version of the LDV Deliver 9 van, the camper stretches 5,940 mm (233.9 inches) long and 2,925 mm (115.2 inches) tall. It cuts a noticeable profile thanks to gray-and-red exterior graphics, a retractable awning, and a rooftop air-conditioning unit that doesn’t shy away from announcing itself.
What’s Inside?
Open the large sliding door, complete with electric side steps and a sliding fly-screen cover, and you come across what is essentially a micro-apartment on wheels.
The kitchen includes a sink, fridge, freezer, microwave, and an induction cooktop. A small door next to it leads to a compact bathroom with an indoor shower, and for warm-weather rinses, there’s also an external shower unit.
Two swiveling front seats, a stowable table, and a rear bench form the dining area at the front part of the cabin. At the back, we find a double bed that can be assembled and disassembled in a minute so it doesn’t block the second entrance from the rear doors.
The lack of a second bed means that the camper van can sleep two, unless someone is small enough to nap on the front bench.
In order to support the amenities, the SAIC-owned brand threw in a 2.56 kWh lithium-ion battery, a 190-watt solar panel, dual 100 lt (26.4-gallon) tanks for fresh and gray water, and a 16 lt (4.2-gallon) tank for waste.
Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which is good for 145 hp (108 kW / 147 PS) and 375 Nm (277 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic, while the fuel tank has a capacity of 80 lt (21 gallons).
Finally, it has a towing capacity of 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs), which will come in handy for those who have boats or bikes to haul.
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And that leads us to pricing, which is the strongest point of the LDV Deliver 9 campervan. The model starts from AU$ 89,990 (US$ 58,700) drive-away, which – according to the company – undercuts “similarly-sized camper vans by thousands of dollars”.
For comparison, the VW Crafter Kampervan starts from AU$ 157,990 ($US 102,700) before on-road costs, meaning that its drive-away price is more than double the figure of the Chinese rival.
General Manager of LDV Australia, Dinesh Chinnappa, said: “Campervans have grown in popularity over the past decade as an increasing number of Australians choose to explore the great outdoors on their own terms, their own timetable – and in their own vehicle. This factory-built campervan is decked out with everything you need for a getaway – ready to go, straight off the showroom floor. We believe the LDV Deliver 9 campervan will help expand an emerging market segment.”