Diesel Pickups and Vans for Export

Diesel still wins most of the export tenders we quote, and the reasons are logistical rather than technical: fuel exists everywhere, any competent workshop can service the vehicle, and residual values in second-hand markets are established. An electric vehicle beats it on running cost in a depot-based fleet; a diesel beats it everywhere the vehicle finishes each day somewhere new.

Two engine families cover the range. The SAIC πPlus 2.5T at 165 kW and 520 Nm goes in the trucks that tow, climb or carry people over long distances. The π 2.0T at 108–130 kW is the volume workhorse across both the pickups and the vans, paired with six-speed manual, nine-speed or ZF eight-speed automatics depending on model.

Two practical cautions for remote-region buyers. AdBlue availability at the destination is a real constraint on the newer emission calibrations, and diesel sulphur content varies enough between markets to affect which calibration can be supplied — which is part of why the T60 is also offered with a 2.4 L petrol engine.