Chinese brand JAC is still launching in Australia this year, but it has walked back some of the claims it made about the capability of its T9 ute.
Customer examples of the diesel dual-cab ute are en route to Australia, with dealership arrivals expected in the third quarter of 2024. It had previously been tipped for a launch earlier this year.
JAC Motors Australia now says it won’t offer a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity as it previously claimed, with the T9 instead having a 3.0-tonne figure. Tow ball weight is also 300kg, down from 350kg.
That will see it fall short of most utes in the segment, though the Chinese LDV T60 and GWM Ute also feature a 3.0-tonne braked towing capacity, while the Toyota HiLux only offers a 3.5-tonne figure in diesel four-wheel drive guise.
JAC also says the T9 will have a wading depth of 650mm, down from 800mm.
The T9’s payload figure is up slightly from 1000kg to 1045kg.
“The decision to adjust the towing capacity underscores JAC’s dedication to providing accurate and reliable information to our customers and stakeholders,” said JAC Motors Australia deputy managing director Danny Lenartic.
“Local testing continues and it’s pleasing to see the T9 payload capacity increase as we continue to take steps to ensure the highest standards of safety and performance meets the needs of our customers.”
JAC says that since its media launch in March, it has made software enhancements “to meet the needs of local conditions”, as well as continued to collaborate with local accessory manufacturers to ensure Australian-designed and tested accessories will be available at launch.
The T9 has also undergone local durability testing.
The company will offer the T9 across over 60 dealerships nationwide, and says the network will expand further.
JAC announced in March the T9 would come here first in a pair of turbo-diesel versions: the Oasis, priced at $42,662 before on-road costs; and the Haven, priced at $45,630 before on-roads. That means it will offer drive-away pricing under $50,000.
It’ll back the T9 with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
JAC has previously indicated it plans to bring plug-in hybrid and electric versions here, though the focus is on the T9 despite the brand offering a wide range of cars, SUVs and vans in China.
The total investment in the JAC plan, from product development in China to resources for its local importer LTS Auto, is more than $140 million.
“This is a strategic market,” the global chairman of JAC Group, Xiang Xingchu, told CarExpert earlier this year.
“The target is 10,000 vehicles in the first year. Then 40-50,000 once we have more models.
“The importer will decide which model is most appropriate for the market.”
MORE: Everything JAC T9
