VGV U70: Weichai's Mid-Size Crossover, Its Pickup Sibling, and a Cambodian Rebadge

From the 2019 U70 SUV to the U75 Plus, the VX7 pickup, and Cambodia's GTV Krusar — a rundown of VGV's U70 family.

The VGV U70 is a five- to seven-seat mid-size crossover that VGV, a marque under Weichai (Chongqing) Automotive, has built since 2019. The model first surfaced through winter-test spy shots in early 2019 and a MIIT filing that summer, before going on sale that November. Early coverage wavered between the Weichai and VGV names, with Chinese media eventually grouping it under the VGV brand tied to China National Heavy Duty Truck Group.

Mechanically, the U70 pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 156 PS (115 kW) with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. It rides on a 2,800 mm wheelbase, stretches just over 4.8 meters, and weighs between 1,541 and 1,565 kg.

Two derivatives followed. The U75 Plus brings sportier styling and a stronger 2.0-liter turbo with an eight-speed automatic, good for 224 hp and 385 N·m, while the VX7 reworks the U75 Plus into a pickup — also offered in a slantback "Pet's First Class" trim — with a 196 km/h top speed, a bed measuring 1,114 by 1,438 by 588 mm, and a 330 kg roof-tent rating.

In 2024 the VX7 reached Cambodia, where GTV Motor sells it as the GTV Krusar, Krusar being the Khmer word for family. The dual-cab keeps the 2.0 turbo and eight-speed automatic and adds LED lighting, a 360-degree camera, and driver-assistance features, priced from US$27,999 locally for the Half spec and US$29,999 for the Full spec, with export versions listed higher.