LDV is ready to expand its product line-up and wants to add new dealers to its network as it moves into the next phase of its development.

SAIC, LDV's Chinese parent company, has been working on re-establishing the LDV brand since acquiring it from previous Chinese owners ECO Concept in 2010.

Before being bought by ECO Concept, LDV had ceased production at its Birmingham factory in December 2008 and been through a series of failed rescue attempts to save the company.

Mark Barrett, LDV UK & Ireland general manager, said: “We have laid the foundations for future growth with a dealer network, finance offers, warranty and aftersales service.

“We are now in a great position to announce some really exciting developments for LDV over the next two years.”

There are currently 44 dealers in the UK LDV network and Barrett has said the brand is now on a recruitment drive to boost numbers to prepare for the arrival of new products.

LDV revealed a next generation V80 at the recent Commercial Vehicle Show and it will add the SV63 to model to it’s line-up next year.

The SV63 will have increased payloads (1.3 – 2.5T) and lower ground clearance.  It will come with a new D20 Euro 6d engine with torque of up to 400Nm.

In addition to the new products, LDV has delivered its first two EV80s to new customers Ikea for use at its Exeter store. Royal Mail is due to take delivery of their first demonstration EV80 in May 2018.

The EV80, the first of LDV’s EV range, has a 120 mile range on a single charge.

The company is planning to launch a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell van too as part of its alternative fuel range.