2 days ago
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Chinese light-commercial specialist JAC will look at expanding into the popular family SUV market with a reveal confirmed for Shanghai later this month.
Two concepts to be revealed at this month’s Shanghai Motor Show are expected to inform JAC Australia’s future product plans, according to a senior executive.
Speaking to media ahead of the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show, JAC Global Vice General Manager David Zhang said after the T9 ute – in diesel, plug-in hybrid, and potentially all-electric forms – and large SUV are established, the Chinese brand will turn to passenger models.
“We think the PHEV [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle] and diesel pick-up and SUV is our first priority,” Zhang said.
“But in the near future, we also have a plan for the new-energy SUVs without a frame for family use.”
Zhang explained that “new-energy” models will be market dependent, with some more mature markets with more charging infrastructure to take battery electric vehicles (BEVs), while emerging markets will receive hybrids or plug-in hybrids.
It is unclear exactly where Australia fits in this regard, but JAC has confirmed a plug-in hybrid version of its T9 ute – known as Hunter – and walked back confirmation of its T9 EV to instead study the market’s appetite for a tailpipe emissions-free pick-up.
Regardless, JAC’s new monocoque models are expected to be either all new, or significant evolutions of existing cars and platforms.
A mid-size SUV is highly likely, given the popularity of the segment across the world, while Zhang also hinted a sedan could also be revealed later this month.
“At the Shanghai Auto show, we will have a demonstration for our new SUV,” Zhang said.
“They are under investigation, we will have a prototype car and SUV in the Shanghai Auto Show, so we will get the feedback [before deciding which markets to launch them in].”
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
