2024 JAC T9 ute from China spied in Australia ahead of imminent launch

The next dual-cab ute from China to come to Australia – the 2024 JAC T9 – has been photographed on local roads ahead of prices and further specifications expected in the coming days.

The red T9 dual-cab spotted in Sydney by Drive is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, and is a rival for other budget-priced utes, including the GWM Ute, LDV T60 and SsangYong Musso.

The JAC brand was initially earmarked for an Australian launch mid-last year through an independent importer referred to as BLK Auto, however delays have pushed it to this year.

It is understood further details of the JAC T9 ute – which is already on sale in the right-hand-drive South African market – are due to be announced in the coming days and weeks.

MORE: JAC T9 ute from China slated for 2024 Australian launch (published May 2023)

JAC – formally known as the Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group – is a Chinese state-owned manufacturer specialising in trucks.

The company launched in Australia about a decade ago with trucks – at the same time Great Wall arrived with its first ute – but withdrew from the market after failing to get traction.

The new JAC T9 will be sold in Australia through an independent importer, which has previously said it is targeting about 3500 sales in its first year – similar to the SsangYong Musso last year, but less the 9500 GWM Utes delivered in 2023.

The T9 is due to arrive first with a 120kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, part-time four-wheel drive, a 3500kg braked towing capacity, leaf-spring rear suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes.

Expected to follow is an electric version, offering 400km of claimed driving range from an 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and dual-motor four-wheel drive.

In South Africa there is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol model with 168kW/380Nm, which is planned to be followed later in 2024 by a plug-in hybrid combining the petrol engine with a 26.8kWh battery for claimed fuel consumption of 3.3L/100km.

A more powerful 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine is due to join the range in South Africa in early 2025.

JAC sells a range of passenger cars and SUVs in China, but it is yet to announce if any will be sold locally. Last year JAC introduced its first in a new range of electric trucks to Australia.