The arrival of the latest Chinese car brand, the 2024 JAC T9, has been captured on Australian roads, signaling its imminent launch in the country.
The newly spotted dual-cab ute, painted in red and photographed in Sydney by Drive, is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine, positioning itself as a competitor to other budget-friendly utes like the GWM Ute, LDV T60, and SsangYong Musso.
Initially slated for an Australian debut in the middle of last year through independent importer BLK Auto, delays have pushed its launch to this year.
However, further details regarding pricing and specifications for the JAC T9 ute are expected to be revealed in the coming days and weeks. JAC, also known as the Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group, is a state-owned Chinese manufacturer specializing in trucks.
Although JAC initially entered the Australian market about a decade ago with trucks, it withdrew after facing challenges in gaining traction. Now, with the introduction of the new JAC T9, the brand aims to make a comeback.
The T9 is anticipated to be sold through an independent importer, targeting approximately 3500 sales in its first year, similar to the SsangYong Musso’s sales last year but less than the 9500 GWM Utes delivered in 2023.
The JAC T9 will debut with a 120kW 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, part-time four-wheel drive, a 3500kg braked towing capacity, leaf-spring rear suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes.
An electric version is also in the pipeline, boasting a claimed driving range of 400km from an 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and dual-motor four-wheel drive.
In South Africa, the lineup includes a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol model with 168kW/380Nm, with plans for a plug-in hybrid variant later in 2024, combining the petrol engine with a 26.8kWh battery for claimed fuel consumption of 3.3L/100km. Additionally, a more potent 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine is set to join the range in South Africa in early 2025.
While JAC sells a variety of passenger cars and SUVs in China, its plans for the Australian market remain undisclosed. However, last year, JAC introduced its first electric truck to Australia, signaling its broader ambitions in the region.
