MG Enters South African Double-Cab Bakkie Market

SAIC Motor will launch two MG double-cab bakkies in South Africa in 2027, starting with the U7.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Trucks

Isometric editorial illustration of a single generic double-cab pickup on a flat dry plateau, evoking MG's entry into South Africa's bakkie market. — SAIC Motor will launch two MG double-cab bakkies in South Africa in 2027, starting with the U7 and followed by the range-topping U9. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

SAIC Motor announced MG's entry into the South African double-cab bakkie segment at MG's inaugural Tech Day and Premium SUV conference in Johannesburg on 28 October 2026. The range will be started by the U7 and joined by the U9, with MG confirming the U9 as the range-topping model.

Why it matters

The move extends MG's South African line-up into the bakkie segment, where double-cab models are a major part of the local market. Both bakkies are built on existing LDV and Maxus-platform vehicles, which may shorten their path to market.

The Terron 9 platform, on which the U9 is based, uses a 2.5-litre turbodiesel producing 164kW/520Nm and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Its towing capacity is 3 500 kg, though MG has not confirmed whether the U7 and U9 will match these specifications.

The players

SAIC Motor

SAIC Motor is a Chinese state-owned automotive group that owns the MG brand and announced the South African bakkie plans.

MG is a British-origin automotive brand now owned by SAIC Motor, which sells SUVs and pickups across global markets including South Africa and Australia.

LDV

LDV is a commercial vehicle brand under SAIC Motor whose T60 pickup provides the platform for the MG U7.

The details

The U7 will be a rebadged version of LDV's latest facelifted T60, with MG logos replacing LDV badges for the South African market. The U9 is the rebadged sibling of the Terron 9, which is identical in dimensions and exterior design apart from its MG badging.

28 October 2026: SAIC Motor announces MG's bakkie entry at Johannesburg Tech Day
2027: Two new MG bakkies are expected to arrive in South Africa

Roadmap

The U7 is a rebadged LDV T60 facelift that debuted in Australia as the T60 Max in October 2026, following the same platform path SAIC Motor has used across its commercial and passenger brands. The U9 follows the same pattern, having gone on sale in Australia in 2025 as the sibling of the Terron 9, which is sold in China as the Maxus Interstellar X.

Buyers in South Africa's double-cab bakkie market will gain another option from MG in 2027, with the U7 and U9 likely sharing a drivetrain that offers a 2.5-litre turbodiesel and automatic transmission. Prospective buyers should wait for official pricing and specifications before comparing them with established double-cab rivals.

The takeaway

Prospective bakkie buyers in South Africa should wait for MG's official pricing and specifications in 2027 before making comparisons, since the U7 and U9 are rebadged versions of vehicles already sold elsewhere.