China’s JAC launched in Australia late last year with the T9 turbo-diesel dual-cab ute and it isn’t stopping there, with a slew of launches planned.
The brand has confirmed that six new models are due to launch locally before the end of 2026, some of which will be new variants of existing models.
Speaking with CarExpert, managing director of JAC’s local distributor LTS Auto, Ahmed Mahmoud, said the newly revealed Hunter PHEV ute is one of the new models set to launch locally. It’s due in early 2026.
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Hunter PHEV
Another is a cab-chassis version of the existing T9 turbo-diesel dual-cab ute.
With the remaining four vehicles JAC is set to introduce locally, Mr Mahmoud said the company would prefer to “keep our powder dry on them”.
One potential avenue the company is investigating is entry-level versions of the T9 ute that are targeted at fleet buyers.
As it currently stands, JAC only offers two versions of the T9 turbo-diesel dual-cab ute, the Oasis and Haven. Pricing starts at $42,662 before on-road costs.
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T9 EV
While the company did showcase the T9 EV concept in Melbourne over the weekend, it hasn’t confirmed whether this model will actually come to Australia.
When asked whether one of the new vehicles could be an SUV version of the T9, in a similar vein to how the Ford Everest and Ranger are related, Mr Mahmoud was coy and wouldn’t confirm.
“I would love to get an SUV in Australia. We’re working with our friends at JAC China,” said Mr Mahmoud.
“We know our competitors have got SUV variants of their utes. We know they do well, and we’d dearly love to work a business case for that as well.”
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T9 turbo-diesel
In China, JAC has a multitude of vehicles on offer, ranging from SUVs, people movers, vans, sedans, hatchbacks and even trucks. Some are available with plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains.
The JAC brand has a history longer than 60 years in the automotive industry. It began producing trucks for the Chinese market and is now starting to branch out into export markets.
In Australia, there are currently 62 JAC dealers, and the company plans to expand its footprint.
Until the end of March, JAC had sold 525 examples of the T9 ute. For context, KGM SsangYong sold 547 Mussos over the same time, and LDV a total of 1247 examples of the T60.
MORE: Everything JAC
