A new Chinese brand is on the way. In a few short weeks, we expect a JAC Motors dealership to open along Jalan 222 in Petaling Jaya. An advertisement board for the JAC T9 pickup truck was spotted outside the dealership leading to the heightened speculation. This suggests that the truck will soon be launched in Malaysia, even if the showroom is not yet fully set up.
This week, the Chinese automaker announced plans to invest in a pickup truck and commercial vehicle assembly plant in Malaysia on his social media accounts, as disclosed by Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment. Could the JAC T9 be locally assembled in Malaysia?
The Minister stated on his Facebook page that the company plans to make Malaysia its hub for producing commercial vehicles that will be exported to the ASEAN region. “The investment will not only create more high-skilled job opportunities, but also bolster local capabilities in the production of electric and hybrid commercial pick-up trucks and vehicles,” the Minister wrote.
According to Zafrul, “these investments will also strengthen the country’s commercial industry and contribute to the development of local automotive supply chains.”
A few posters have already been placed on the showroom walls, providing us with an early peek at what the Chinese pickup truck might have to offer when it does make its formal debut in Malaysia, even if the JAC T9 pickup was not currently on exhibit there. According to the firm, the pickup is expected to go on sale as early as next month.
T9 to get 170-hp turbodiesel
Based on the posters, it seems that the JAC T9 will come equipped with an abundance of high-end features, such as wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster, seven airbags, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an advanced driver assistance suite (ADAS) that can perform Level 2 SAE semi-autonomous driving.
The 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine of the JAC T9 will produce 170 hp and 410 Nm of torque. A ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox and an electronic part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) system distribute power to all four wheels, and allow for a 3,500 kg towing capacity.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
While JAC is not well-known yet outside China, the launch of the aggressively designed and well-appointed pickup, plus the local assembly plans, will put it on the map in no time. This Chinese manufacturer also produces electric vehicles for Nio, and last year also signed a new partnership agreement with Huawei to introduce the Maextro EV brand.