JAC Motors has celebrated a significant milestone by rolling out its 300,000th T-Series double-cab bakkie from the Yangzhou production line in Jiangsu Province, China, coinciding with the company’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The impressive production pace accelerated remarkably in recent years, with the last 100,000 units produced in less than two years, compared to 13 years for the first 200,000 units. This surge is attributed to JAC Motors’ growing international presence and robust sales in various markets.
Feng Liangsen, Secretary of the Board of Directors of JAC Motors and General Manager of the company’s pickup division, highlighted the significance of this achievement during a commemorative ceremony. He noted, “The 300,000 units milestone represents not only our independent operations, transformation, upgrading, and global development but also the fruit of our hard work and collaboration. It marks another significant achievement in the globalisation of China’s pickup trucks.”
Founded in 1964 as the Hefei Jianghuai Automobile Factory, JAC Motors has grown to export bakkies, passenger cars, and trucks to over 132 countries. Among its key export markets, South Africa stands out as the first to introduce the new T9 right-hand-drive bakkie.
“The T9 is a game-changer for us,” remarked Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa. “At our 60th anniversary event in Cradlestone Valley near Johannesburg, journalists praised the T9 for its car-like driving experience and exceptional value compared to competitors.”
The T-Series currently includes three double-cab models: the T6, T8, and T9, available in both 4×2 and 4×4 configurations. The range is set to expand further by the end of 2024 with the introduction of T6 single-cab variants, followed by T8 8-speed automatic models in early 2025.
JAC Motors ranks second in the Chinese domestic pickup industry, having sold 55,000 pickups last year, including 42,000 exports. International sales increased by 9.9% year-on-year, while domestic sales grew by 16.3%, resulting in an overall increase of 11.3%. The company’s export markets span Latin America, the Gulf states, Central Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Notably, JAC Motors ranked first among Chinese pickup brands in Mexico, Peru, and Kazakhstan in 2023.
At the Beijing Automotive Show, JAC Motors unveiled a battery-electric version of the T9, featuring a 500 km range. The T9 EV is powered by an 88.02 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and two electric motors delivering 70 kW and 160 kW, with torque ratings of 176 Nm and 342 Nm, respectively.
“The luxurious new T9, the most advanced bakkie ever produced by JAC Motors, offers a plethora of creature comforts and safety features. It disrupts the local leisure double-cab market with extraordinary value, starting at just R549,900,” Göbel concluded.
Since its market debut in 2017, JAC Motors South Africa has expanded its lineup to include T-Series double-cabs, X-Series forward-cabs, and trucks ranging from three to nine tonnes. JAC Motors leads the local EV truck segment, with the highest number of battery-electric trucks on South African roads. With a network of over 70 dealers, the JAC Motors brand is well-represented across Southern Africa.
