JAC to expand Aussie SUV portfolio

JAC Motors Australia’s managing director Ahmed Mahmoud has offered a glimpse into the Chinese importer’s potential future local product portfolio, with a ute-based SUV model currently under study and “traditional” SUVs from its global line-up being considered for an Australian launch.

Speaking with GoAuto at a preview drive event for the Hunter Plug-in Hybrid ute, Mr Mahmoud explained that while JAC currently only competes in Australia’s ute market, its product roadmap presents opportunities for expansion into other segments.

“So, JAC competes at the moment in one segment and our product roadmap affords us the opportunity to compete in multiple segments in the future. Where JAC sits in the order of things will be dependent on how quickly we can bring these new vehicles (with) right-hand drive, (a) five-star ANCAP, what have you, to the Australian market,” he said.

When asked what segments JAC may be entering in the future, Mr Mahmoud mentioned a ute-based SUV as well as “traditional” SUV models.

“We've got some studies being undertaken in the ute-based SUV and the more traditional SUVs that you see out there at the moment as well so we’re currently investigating those opportunities to bring those cars to the market in the not too distant future.”

According to Mr Mahmoud, models from JAC’s global portfolio could be on the cards for Australia provided that it makes sense to sell these vehicles in right-hand drive form.

“So if you just jump on the JAC Motors website, there are huge amounts of cars. There’s 130 different distributors around the globe that import JAC’s products, but most of those countries are left-hand drive countries and we need right-hand drive models.”

“So whilst the platform or the base is available to us, the commercials around whether or not it makes sense for that vehicle to be brought into Australia, that's the negotiation point with JAC China.”

The ute-based SUV model in question is almost certainly the T9-based JAC JS9, images of which have surfaced from overseas markets.

It is expected to use the T9’s 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel 4x4 powertrain and accommodate seating for seven.

Should this model come to the Australian market it would share the ute-based SUV space with the likes of the Ford Everest and the Isuzu MU-X.

While generally not as popular as monocoque-based models, ute-based SUV models are still able to achieve sales success.

The Ford Everest is consistently represented among Australia’s best-selling vehicles, while the MU-X made up over 36 per cent of Isuzu’s local sales last year.

Further “traditional” SUV models offered by JAC overseas include (but are not limited to) the seven-seat JS8 Pro, the mid-size JS6 (available in petrol and plug-in hybrid guises), and the compact JS4 (available with both petrol and battery electric power).

Should it come to Australia, the JS8 Pro could compete in the family SUV space against the likes of the Chery Tiggo 8, Mitsubishi Outlander, and the MG QS.

Meanwhile, selling the JS6 and the JS4 locally would allow JAC to compete in Australia’s highly-lucrative mid-size and small SUV segments respectively.

Rivals for the JS6 could include the Chery Tiggo 7 (in both petrol and PHEV guises), the BYD Sealion 5 and Sealion 6, and the GWM Haval H6 (also in petrol and PHEV guises.

The JS4 could be positioned as a rival to the Chery Tiggo 4 and the Mahindra XUV 3XO while the battery electric e-JS4 could go up against the BYD Atto 2 and the Leapmotor B10.

Beyond SUVs, JAC’s overseas line-up includes the battery electric E30X hatchback, the RF8 MPV (available with both petrol power and as a PHEV), the J7 sedan and its e-J7 BEV equivalent among other offerings.

However, none of these models have been officially confirmed by JAC for an Australian release.

JAC currently sells the diesel-powered T9 ute in Australia, which will soon be joined by its Hunter plug-in hybrid sibling, reservations for which opened recently.

The T9 line-up comprises six variants across dual cab and cab-chassis body styles. Australian prices range from $38,990 to $47,079 before on-road costs.

As for the Hunter PHEV, from launch the dual cab model will be sold in entry-level Pro and range-topping X spec, with the line-up expanding soon with a cab-chassis variant. While local pricing is yet to be officially confirmed, it will start from “under $50,000” according to JAC.