A plug-in hybrid super ute isn't the only thing JAC has cooking, with a Ford Everest-rivalling, ladder-frame chassis, seven-seat SUV also on the way.
JAC Australia will bulk out its current one-product line-up with six more models – including a Ford Everest rival – by the end of next year in a bid to gain a stronger foothold in the local market.
Speaking to Australian media ahead of the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show, JAC Australia Managing Director Ahmed Mahmoud said the Chinese light-commercial brand will add numerous more options in local showrooms.
“Six models on the way … it’s models and variants between now and the end of 2026,” Mahmoud said.
“What I can reveal is we’ve got a cab-chassis variant coming out as well.
“The other vehicles, we’ll keep our powder dry on them.”
Joining the already on-sale T9 will be the T9 Hunter PHEV, which made its global debut last week at the Melbourne Motor show.
The T9 Hunter PHEV will be available from early 2026 as a rival to the BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV, and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, with a 385kW/1000Nm output and a targeted all-electric driving range of around 100km.
With a cab-chassis version of the T9 also coming soon, it should lower the point of entry to the JAC brand, and offer up a more affordable alternative to the Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max workhorses.
For reference, the current T9 line-up, available exclusively in 4x4 dual-cab pick-up form, kicks off from $42,662 before on-road costs.
Outside of these pick-ups, a ute-based seven-seat rugged SUV is also planned, though the model’s name is currently unclear.
Little else is confirmed for the car, but JAC Global Vice General Manager David Zhang confirmed the new model will arrive in Australian showrooms in the next 21 months.
“Also on this platform, we also have a pick-up SUV,” Zhang said.
“SUV on the current one [platform], we will have next year.”
It is likely the large SUV will retain the same powertrain options as the T9 ute, which includes a 125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and aforementioned plug-in hybrid set-up.
The all-electric T9 EV ute – also on display at the Melbourne Motor Show – could also be a chance to hit showrooms after JAC walked back confirmation plans of the LDV eT60 rival.
Though not yet confirmed, it is on local soil to gauge consumer and dealer feedback, and overseas versions feature a 220kW/516Nm dual-electric motor configuration with an 88kWh battery that enables a WLTP-tested driving range rating of 330km.
This leaves another two slots for JAC Australia to fill, which as per Mahmoud’s words could be more variants of the T9 ute possibly rounding out the line-up with single-cab or 4x2 options.
“The [ute] market is about 200,000-205,000 units every year, half of that is fleet,” Mahmoud said.
“And there is a big opportunity for cab-chassis and fleet-spec vehicles as well.
“We’re gearing up for that, and we’re pretty excited.”
For the first three months of this year, JAC Australia has sold 525 units of its T9 ute, putting it about lineball with the KGM SsangYong Musso in terms of interest.
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.
