√JAC T9 ute from China slated for 2024 Australian launch

The JAC T9 – a double-cab ute made by a Chinese truck company – is expected to launch in Australia next year, with the first examples due to arrive for local evaluation in the coming months.

The JAC T9 ute from China is expected to launch in Australia next year.

The local distributor for the Chinese state-owned truck manufacturer says the first examples are due to arrive for evaluation in the coming months.

As reported in December 2022, JAC Auto is planning to return to Australia after a stalled start almost a decade ago.

The Chinese brand originally tried to launch locally with trucks but withdrew from the market after failing to get any traction in the commercial vehicle market.

JAC’s Australian importer, BLK Auto, previously claimed the T9 ute would go on sale with diesel power in late 2023 – before a battery-powered electric model arrives in 2024.

However, BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic has now said the first examples of the JAC T9 dual-cab are expected to arrive in showrooms in January 2024, after further preparation and evaluation.

“Start of production is December (2023), and then launch is through our dealer network in January (2024),” Mr Pecotic told Drive at the Brisbane Truck Show.

MORE: JAC electric and diesel utes from China coming to Australia

“The testing evaluation vehicle gets here in July (2023), and that will be for dealer review. We’re then bringing in a further five examples for ANCAP safety testing in August. About 20 more examples are coming for testing, evaluation, and dealer and media review in September (2023).

“We’re looking to launch initially with about 30 dealers. We have a large enquiry base of dealers, and that’s thanks to the media and the Shanghai Auto Show – a lot of Great Wall dealers who were there saw the T9.

“We’re appointing the dealer network after July (2023) following the arrival of the evaluation vehicle.”

In China, the JAC T9 is sold with a suite of active safety features including autonomous emergency braking – a key element of the brand’s ambitions to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

As previously reported, JAC plans to launch the T9 ute in Australia with two variants – both powered by a 125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and part-time four-wheel-drive system.

An electric T9 is expected to follow the diesel variants. Overseas, the T9 electric produces 150kW and 290Nm and is powered by a 77kWh battery pack, with a claimed maximum driving range of 300km on a single charge.

Pricing is yet to be announced, however as a guide fellow Chinese utes – the GWM Cannon and LDV T60 – both start from approximately $40,000 drive-away.

The JAC T9 is expected to be sold in Australia with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, matching Chinese counterpart GWM as well as South Korean brand, SsangYong.

According to Mr Pecotic, JAC is targeting approximately 3500 sales for its first year in Australia – about 1500 more than the SsangYong Musso in 2022, but almost 2500 less than the approximately 6000 examples of the LDV T60 reported sold last year.

Mr Pecotic says JAC aims to increase sales from 5000 in 2025, 8000 in 2026 and 10,000 by 2027 – the latter of which would rival the Mazda BT-50’s 4×4 variants, which recorded 10,500 sales in 2022.

Drive will report more details about the JAC T9 – such as Australian pricing and specifications – closer to its local arrival.

The post JAC T9 ute from China slated for 2024 Australian launch appeared first on Drive.