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The latest offering in NZ’s ute market – Chinese-built JAC.
While the New Zealand ute market is dominated by three main players, “disruptors” are never too far away.
The latest to show its colours is the Chinesebuilt JAC, pronounced Jack. With a launch price of $49,990 including GST, it appears to offer serious bang for buck in an increasingly competitive segment.
JAC has a 60-year heritage, claims to be the number one light commercial builder and is 50% owned by the mighty VW group. Ute production started in 2015, starting with the T6, had reached 200,000 units by 2022, climbing to 320,000 units by the end of 2023, and are sold in 132 countries.
JAC New Zealand is backed by NZ Automotive Limited, a subsidiary of the Colonial Motor Company which operates in the passenger car, heavy truck and agricultural tractor and machinery sectors.
Looking at the T9 in more detail, the distributor puts much emphasis on components sourced from top-end suppliers such as Bosch, Honeywell, ZF, Borg Warner and Eaton.
This manifests itself in a modern looking ute with a turbo-charged 2-litre, 4-cylinder pushing out 125kW and 419Nm, with an 8-speed transmission, a high/low 4WD transfer case, diff-lock and ECO, Sport and Snow drive modes and a hill descent function.
Interestingly, building on the ‘Jack of All Trades’ marketing hype, the JAC T9 is available in a single spec’ that as standard includes rock-slider side steps, black sports bar, power adjusted and heated faux-leather seats, wireless mobile charging, and a 220V power-point socket for charging power tool batteries. Of course, tradies will also be pleased to see a hot/cool box in the centre console, meaning there’s always access to cold drinks or hot pies.
Aimed at demanding work, the chassis features heavy-duty galvanising, with wax also injected into any cavities, hopefully ensuring that the choice of seven external colours is protected for the vehicle’s life. The load bed benefits from a protective sprayed-on bed liner.
In the cabin, the supportive seats are complemented by ambient lighting, ISO-Fix mounts and a large central screen are standard, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside seven charging points, 360- degree cameras, front and rear parking sensors, and an automated electronic park brake.
Safety is taken care of extensively with 18 ADAS functions, seven airbags and a recently awarded 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Peace of mind is taken care of with a 5-year/200,000km warranty, alongside 24/7 roadside assistance.
Towing capacity is rated at 3000kg - a little behind the 3500kg norm - complemented by a 1045kg load capacity, and wide enough to handle a standard Euro pallet.
JAC has confirmed three locations for its initial launch of the T9 in Southern Autos JAC in Manukau Auckland, Avon City JAC in Christchurch, and Energy Motors JAC in New Plymouth. Demo T9s will be arriving at these dealerships very soon. After launch of the T9 the Kiwi team will continue to build its dealer locations and fun ways to support Kiwis up and down the motu from early 2025.
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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