JAC T9 plug-in hybrid ute due in Australia in 2025, SUV to follow

Chinese car and truck manufacturer JAC – coming to Australia later this year with a new diesel ute – is due to add a plug-in hybrid pick-up to its line-up in 2025.

The plug-in hybrid T9 ute – due to join a diesel version due later this year – is planned to be followed by an SUV to compete in Australia's largest new-car market segment.

The JAC T9 ute is being imported and distributed in Australia by new company LTS Auto, which says it has invested $AU40 million so far in local operations.

MORE: 2024 JAC T9 price and specs

JAC Vice General Manager David Zhang told a media conference the company plans to build upon the diesel T9 with a plug-in hybrid variant of the same ute.

“This year, we will focus on the diesel 4x4 with the automatic transmission ... In China, we are in the process of developing the PHEV (plug-in hybrid),” Mr Zhang said.

“We hope next year, we will launch [it] in Australia ... to [introduce] more environmentally-friendly products [to the market].”

JAC, which produced 592,000 vehicles last year, has aspirations to expand beyond the ute segment in Australia and target the SUV market.

"For the Australian market, right-hand drive is different from other countries and China. So firstly, we will focus on the pick-up, for diesel and for PHEV," Mr Zhang said.

"At the same time, we also noticed there is very good potential for the SUV... with new energy [hybrid or electric],” he said.

"We are now in the process [of having] a more detailed … investigation into the market. We will discuss with our partners to launch the new products for passenger use."

A new energy vehicle (NEV) is the Chinese-market term for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

When asked which propulsion type his mention of “new energy” was intended to refer to, Mr Zhang said: "I think PHEV is a good choice for the market, because Australia is big."

One option for JAC in Australia is the JS6 plug-in hybrid mid-sized SUV – a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or MG HS Plus EV rival – which is also known as the Sehol QX in China. 

The JAC JS6 plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor developing 150kW and 300Nm, combined with a 21.67kWh battery which can be charged at up to 26kW.