Who Owns Maxus?
Maxus is owned by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, a state-controlled Chinese automaker listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 600104. Operated by SAIC Maxus Automotive Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, the brand descends from the British LDV commercial vehicle marque, whose intellectual property SAIC acquired in 2009. Maxus sold 222,286 vehicles in 2025, with more than 103,000 exported to over 100 countries.
Parent Company
Acquired
2009
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Maxus Timeline
Who Owns Maxus?
- Parent Company: SAIC Motor Corporation Limited
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2009
- Company Type: State-Owned
- Stock Ticker: Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600104
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Maxus | SAIC Motor Corporation Limited | Wholly owned |
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History of Maxus
- Founded: 2011
- Founders: SAIC Motor (internal development; brand heritage from LDV Limited, UK)
- Acquired by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited: 2009
Maxus carries an unusual lineage for a Chinese brand. Its name descends from Leyland DAF Vans, the British commercial vehicle maker that became LDV Limited in 1993 after the Leyland DAF collapse. LDV launched a light commercial vehicle named Maxus in 2004, developed with Daewoo Motor engineering input before Daewoo's own collapse. LDV itself entered administration in 2009, and SAIC acquired the Maxus intellectual property and production tooling, moving manufacturing to China.
SAIC formally launched SAIC Maxus in 2011, initially with the V80 van derived directly from the LDV Maxus platform. The brand expanded steadily: the G10 MPV arrived in 2014, the T60 pickup in 2016 launched Maxus into the global midsize truck segment, and the D90 SUV followed in 2017. Export programs under both Maxus and LDV badges built early positions in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Electrification moved to the center of the range in the 2020s. The eDeliver series of electric vans, the Mifa 9 large electric MPV, and the eTerron 9, described as the first mass-produced electric pickup offered in Europe and Australia, made Maxus one of the earliest Chinese commercial brands to compete on EV products in developed markets.
In 2025, SAIC Maxus posted wholesale deliveries of 222,286 vehicles, up 25.14 percent, with retail sales of about 232,000 and overseas volume above 103,000 units, up 25 percent. New energy vehicles accounted for more than 54,000 domestic sales, with monthly NEV penetration exceeding 50 percent late in the year. The Yuejin electric light truck sub-brand surged 222 percent, and the brand set a stated ambition to become the global leader in light commercial vehicles.
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About SAIC Motor Corporation Limited
What does SAIC Motor own?
SAIC Motor operates proprietary brands including MG Motor (global, sold in over 40 countries), Roewe (domestic Chinese premium brand), Maxus/LDV (commercial vehicles), and IM Motors/Zhiji (premium EV joint venture with Alibaba). The company also operates joint ventures with Volkswagen (SAIC Volkswagen), General Motors (SAIC-GM), and SAIC-GM-Wuling. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, produced by SAIC-GM-Wuling, is one of China's best-selling electric vehicles.
Is SAIC Motor publicly traded?
Yes, SAIC Motor is publicly traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 600104. However, the controlling shareholder is Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group), a state-owned investment holding company controlled by the Shanghai Municipal Government, which holds approximately 63% of shares. The remaining approximately 37% are publicly traded.
Who founded SAIC Motor?
SAIC Motor was established in 1955 by the Shanghai Municipal Government as a state-owned automotive manufacturer. The company was originally established as the Shanghai Automotive Assembly Plant, producing vehicles for government and military use. The company's modern growth was driven by the formation of a joint venture with Volkswagen in 1984, one of the first automotive joint ventures in China.
Where is SAIC Motor headquartered?
SAIC Motor is headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company's corporate offices and primary manufacturing operations are located in Shanghai, with additional manufacturing facilities across China and internationally in Thailand, India, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Shanghai serves as the center for SAIC's operations and provides access to China's major automotive market and technology ecosystem.
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How many brands does SAIC Motor own?
SAIC Motor operates multiple proprietary brands (MG Motor, Roewe, Maxus/LDV, IM Motors) and joint venture brands (VW, Skoda, Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Wuling, Baojun). The company's brand portfolio covers the full range of market segments from entry-level electric vehicles (Wuling Hongguang Mini EV at approximately 30,000 yuan) to premium electric vehicles (IM Motors L7 at approximately 400,000 yuan).
Who owns SAIC Motor?
SAIC Motor is controlled by the Shanghai Municipal Government through Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group), which holds approximately 63% of shares. The company is a state-owned enterprise, with the remaining approximately 37% of shares publicly traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The Shanghai Municipal SASAC exercises government oversight through its role in appointing senior leadership and approving major strategic decisions.
- Founded: 1955
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China
- Company Type: State-Owned
- Stock: Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600104
- Revenue: CNY 688 billion (~$95B USD, FY2024)
- Employees: Approximately 200,000
Where Is Maxus Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China
- Manufacturing / Operations: China, Thailand
Maxus Categories & Tags
Maxus Sustainability & Ethics
Maxus's sustainability profile rests primarily on its electrification record. More than half of its domestic sales are now new energy vehicles, it sells one of the industry's broadest electric van ranges under the eDeliver name, and its eTerron 9 was among the first mass-produced electric pickups offered in Europe and Australia.
The Nanjing plant's Lighthouse Factory designation reflects energy-efficient, highly automated production. SAIC Group reports environmental performance through corporate ESG disclosures aligned with China's dual carbon goals. No independently verified certifications such as B Corp status or science-based targets validation have been confirmed for the Maxus brand as of November 2026.
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Maxus Recalls & Controversies
Maxus and its LDV-badged exports have been subject to standard automotive recall activity in markets where they are sold. Australian regulators have recorded recalls on LDV and Maxus models over issues including wiring and component defects, resolved through dealer inspection and repair programs consistent with local recall rules.
The brand's LDV heritage has occasionally drawn scrutiny in safety testing. Earlier LDV and Maxus products received modest scores in some ANCAP assessments, though newer models including the T90 pickup and Mifa 9 MPV achieved improved five-star ratings in recent test cycles. No major unresolved safety scandal is on record for the brand as of November 2026.
Brands Owned by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited
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Maxus Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Designated core of SAIC's consolidated commercial vehicle system since April 2025
- +Leading Chinese light van exporter with number one industry ranking
- +Early and credible electric van and pickup lineup in developed markets
- +Lighthouse Factory production base in Nanjing supports quality and scale
- +LDV badge provides heritage recognition in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK
Considerations
- -Dual Maxus/LDV badging creates split brand recognition across markets
- -Faces Great Wall, JAC, JMC, and Foton in the intensely competitive global pickup segment
- -Dependent on parent group for R&D and platform investment
- -Limited presence in North America
- -Commercial vehicle margins remain thin across the industry
Frequently Asked Questions About Maxus
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Maxus
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baic Group | China | 1996 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Jiangling Motors | China | 1993 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Dongfeng Motor | China | 1969 | Mass market | Asia pacific | All Genders | |
| Great Wall Motors | China | 1984 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Jac Motors | China | 2005 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Chery Automobile | China | 1997 | Mass market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
AutomotiveFoton
Owned by Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC Group)
Chinese commercial vehicle brand producing trucks, vans, and pickups, controlled by state-owned BAIC Group and exported to more than 110 countries.
truckscommercial-vehiclespickup-trucks
AutomotiveJMC
Owned by Jiangling Motors Corporation, Ltd. (JMC)
Chinese light commercial vehicle brand of Jiangling Motors, producing trucks, pickups, and vans sold domestically and exported to Asia, Latin America, and beyond.
truckscommercial-vehiclespickup-trucks
AutomotiveDongfeng
Owned by Dongfeng Motor Corporation
Flagship vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor Corporation, covering heavy trucks, light commercial vehicles, vans, and utility vehicles produced in China since 1969.
truckscommercial-vehiclesvans
AutomotiveGWM
Owned by Great Wall Motor Company Limited
Chinese automotive brand specializing in SUVs and pickup trucks, owned by Great Wall Motors and sold in over 60 countries.
suvpickup-trucksautomobiles
AutomotiveJAC Utes
Owned by JAC Motors
Chinese utility vehicle brand specializing in light commercial trucks and vans, owned by JAC Motors and distributed globally.
utility-vehiclestruckscommercial-vehicles
AutomotiveChery
Owned by Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Flagship vehicle marque of Chery Automobile, covering the Tiggo SUV and Arrizo sedan lines, sold in more than 80 countries as China's top passenger vehicle export brand.
chinese-brandaffordable-carssuv
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Maxus competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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AutomotiveKia
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korean-carvalue-brandsporty-design
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Kia is privately owned, unlike Maxus which is under a publicly traded parent company.
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carVertical is privately owned, unlike Maxus which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveCastrol
Owned by Stonepeak Partners LP
British motor oil and lubricant brand now majority owned by Stonepeak, operating as a standalone company after 126 years.
motor-oillubricantsautomotive
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Castrol is privately owned, unlike Maxus which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveChampion
Owned by Tenneco Inc.
Tenneco's ignition aftermarket brand for spark plugs, founded in 1907 and among the oldest names in American automotive parts.
spark-plugsignitionaftermarket
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Champion is privately owned, unlike Maxus which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveFel-Pro
Owned by Tenneco Inc.
Tenneco's engine sealing brand for gaskets and sealing solutions, founded in 1918 and a standard name in the professional aftermarket.
gasketsengine-sealingaftermarket
Privately Owned
Fel-Pro is privately owned, unlike Maxus which is under a publicly traded parent company.
SAIC Motor Corporation Limited Stock Information
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