ACCC sues LDV over rusty utes

Australia’s consumer watchdog has taken a leading Chinese ute importer to court over claims the vehicles go rusty when driven as advertised.

Australia’s consumer watchdog has taken a Chinese ute brand to court over “misleading” claims surrounding their off-road capability.

The ACCC said it instituted proceedings in Federal Court against Ateco Automotive, the importer of LDV utes, alleging that the cars turned rusty when driven as advertised.

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Promotional images of the LDV T60 show it driving on wet and sandy beaches.

A statement published by the ACCC claims LDV made “misleading representations to consumers about the durability and suitability of particular models of LDV branded vehicles in breach of the Australian Consumer Law”.

“The ACCC alleges that those vehicles had a propensity to rust or corrode within five years of being manufactured,” it says.

The ACCC says LDV “made misleading representations” about the T60 ute and G10 van, by claiming they were “durable and tough, and that they were suitable for use in, near, or on, a variety of environments and off-road terrains”.

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The LDV T60 is the focus of complaints about rust. Picture: Supplied.

Advertising and marketing material showing cars driving in wet and muddy areas also misled customers about the car’s capabilities, according to the ACCC.

The government body said LDV received more than 5000 customer complaints regarding rust or corrosion between 2018 and 2024.

Advertising for the model included statements such as “The T60 is up to any challenge you care to take on – work or play, on-road or off … It turns the toughest tracks into a walk in the park”, and “Why take a long walk on the beach when you could take a drive in the LDV T60 Ute?”

The ACCC is suing LDV over misleading claims surrounding the T60 ute. Picture: Supplied

ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said “a new car is a significant financial purchase, and consumers rightfully expect that the vehicle they purchase will live up to the quality and uses that it was advertised to include”.

“We allege that despite being aware of the propensity for the vehicles to rust, LDV continued to make representations for a number of years that the T60 and G10 vehicles were durable and suitable for use in a variety of terrains,” she said.

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LDV is launching a new ‘Terron 9’ ute in Australia soon. Photo: Supplied

“As a result, we allege that LDV’s conduct is likely to have caused harm to affected consumers, including because the propensity for rust or corrosion lowered the value of their vehicles, and because consumers lost the opportunity to make an informed decision that may have involved purchasing an alternative vehicle that did not carry the same risks.”

LDV Australia says it “acknowledges the announcement today by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in relation to the commencement of proceedings against LDV Australia in the Federal Court of Australia”.

Originally published as ACCC sues LDV over rusty utes