Australian vehicle importer and distributor BLK Auto will bring two versions of the Chinese JAC T9 dual-cab four-wheel drive ute – including an all-electric variant – to Australia starting from mid next year.
The turbo-diesel T9 is due to launch locally in June 2023 and will be followed by an EV variant expected in the second quarter of 2024. Australia and New Zealand will be the first export markets for the China-only JSC T9.
BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic said the T9 would be priced similarly to other Chinese-made utes such as the GWM Ute Cannon and LDV T60, which kick off below $40,000.
Image supplied by BLK Auto
The turbo-diesel-powered JAC T9 will use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 125kW of power and 410Nm of torque.
This is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel drive system. It’s expected to have a 3500kg braked towing capacity.
Official details about the all-electric T9 are yet to be confirmed, but it will presumably compete head-to-head with the LDV eT60 which is currently priced from $92,990 before on-road costs.
The JAC T9 measures in at 5330mm long, 1965mm wide, and 1920mm tall, with a 3110mm wheelbase. This is 40mm shorter, 47mm wider, and 36mm taller than a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, with a 160mm shorter wheelbase.
Image supplied by BLK Auto
Interior features will include a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and heated power-adjustable seats.
“Australia’s best-selling vehicles overall are the Toyota HiLux and the Ford Ranger – pickup trucks are incredibly popular at the moment,” said Mr Pecotic.
“This segment is huge, it’s about 180,000 units per year. But many buyers face a long wait to buy a pickup, so we expect the JAC T9 to be an extremely attractive alternative at a more affordable price point.”
Mr Pecotic said JAC was aiming for a five-star ANCAP safety rating for the T9, with equipment including seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, and tyre-pressure monitoring.
China-market JAC Hunter
BLK Auto is currently seeking to work with new dealer partners and its existing dealer network to distribute the T9 across Australia.
“The JAC pickup range will complement the existing electric truck offering from JAC and provide and our dealer network with a new option to market,” said Mr Pecotic.
“By the end of 2023 we will be importing three models of JAC electric trucks, and the two JAC pickup models will significantly add to the product range and help us grow our dealer network by giving our dealers more products to sell.”
Pricing and standard specification for the JAC T9 dual-cab ute will be detailed closer to its launch in June 2023.
China-market JAC Hunter
JAC Motors is based in China’s Anhui Province and also produces a range of sedans, SUVs and trucks of various sizes – including electric ones.
Its Australian distributor BLK Auto has offices in NSW and Queensland and sells buses, JAC’s electric trucks, as well as a hydrogen fuel-cell coach bus.
BLK Auto says has had JAC’s N55 electric truck in trials in Australia for the last two years and is aiming “to leverage the launch of the pickups to establish a comprehensive dealer network”, it adds.
While the China-made LDV T60 Max and GWM Ute Cannon are kicking big goals these days, several Chinese brands have tried and failed in Australia’s huge ute market.
Cheap workhorses that have come and gone include the JMC Vigus and ZX Auto Grand Tiger, but perhaps the best-known is the Foton Tunland.
