Australia will have its second electric ute on sale by 2024, at least according to plans revealed by BLK Auto, the importer and distributor of JAC utes.
The brand’s plan for Australia starts with the diesel-powered T9 dual-cab ute launching in the middle of 2023, followed by the all-electric variant coming in the second quarter of 2023.
The diesel T9 would likely come up against other Chinese-built utes such as the GWM Cannon, and the LDV T60, whereas the electric T9 would face competition from the LDV eT60, and potentially even electrified versions of the Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger.
The 2023 JAC T9 will first arrive locally in diesel form
BLK Auto Managing Director Jason Pecotic recently spoke about the T9’s entry to the Australian market.
“Australia’s best-selling vehicles overall are the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger – pickup trucks are incredibly popular at the moment,” Mr Pecotic said.
“But many buyers face a long wait to buy a pickup, so we expect the JAC T9 to be an extremely attractive alternative at a more affordable price point.”
The JAC T9 wears a rather imposing front grille
Powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, the entry-level T9 makes 125kW of power and 410Nm of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and makes use of a part-time four-wheel drive system.
The T9 measures in at 5330mm long, 1965mm wide and 1920mm high, with a wheelbase of 3110mm. This is taller than a Toyota Hilux at 1815mm, but slightly smaller in every other measurement.
Like the majority of other utes currently on sale, it’s expected to be rated to tow up to 3.5-tonnes.
Details surrounding the electric T9’s powertrain remain scarce, but are expected to be revealed closer to the vehicle’s launch.
A large portrait-mounted infotainment display sits in the centre of the dash
On the inside, the T9 gets a 10.4-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless phone charging and heated power adjustable seats are also included.
The list of safety features in the T9 is more comprehensive than some of its affordable ute rivals , with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring, among others coming as standard.
With this in mind, Mr Pecotic said that JAC was aiming to achieve a five-star ANCAP rating for the T9.
The electric JAC T9 will likely be the second EV ute to go on sale in Australia
Pricing is still yet to be confirmed for either the diesel or electric T9, but for context, the only other electric ute on sale in Australia is the LDV eT60 at $92,990.
What is JAC?
Officially known as Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd, JAC was first established back in 1964, and has since risen to become one of China’s best-selling brands in the commercial segment.
The battery-powered box truck that is sold by BLK Auto
In China, JAC’s line-up is made up of eight passenger models, six commercial models, and five electric vehicles.
In Australia, BLK Auto currently sells just one JAC vehicle, in the form of an all-electric box truck. This truck is powered by a 96.7kWh battery, claims the ability to drive up to 200km on a single charge, and carry up to 2.5-tonnes.
