JAC SUV double: monocoque first, Everest rival to follow

JAC Motors Australia is about to graduate from ute-only outfit to SUV player. Managing director of the Chinese challenger brand has confirmed that a purpose-built monocoque SUV is "very, very close" to being signed off, and a ladder-frame wagon to take on Pajero, Prado and Everest is also in the works.

A new ute-based SUV that may carry the JAC JS9 in Australia is likely to be the second SUV model from the brand.

JAC Motors Australia managing director Ahmed Mahmoud told carsales that a ute-based SUV is still being worked on and in the meantime, JAC is putting "a lot of our effort" into a purpose-built SUV that rides on a monocoque rather than a ladder frame.

"The new SUV gets a purpose-built monocoque [frame]. We are very, very close to signing that one off. And as you would know, the turnaround time on things like this, from sign-off to first production… is not very long," said the Aussie JAC boss.

It’s not clear if JAC will bring existing SUVs available in China – such as the JS8 Pro and JS6 PHEV – or whether we’ll see an all-new vehicle.

Don't expect a garden-variety petrol SUV though.

Mahmoud said the drivetrain will be the drawcard, whether that's range-extender, hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, adding "gone are the days where you can just rely on standard petrol or standard diesel."

The ute-based wagon, widely tipped to be badged JS9, would square up to Australia's favourite ladder-frame SUVs. VFACTS shows the Ford Everest has found 16,203 homes to the end of September 2026, with the Isuzu MU-X at 10,556.

Mahmoud said JAC will only commit "once we have the right product that we're happy with".

An SUV would be a big leap for a brand whose first local ad went to air less than two years ago. Its T9 diesel and new Hunter PHEV are still its only passenger-friendly offerings.

JAC has sold 629 vehicles here to the end of September, down 50 per cent on the same period last year.

Meanwhile, a full mine-spec electric T9 dual-cab has been trialled in WA, with JAC eyeing miners chasing net-zero targets as early as 2030. The electric T9 is finishing its final ADR work on driver-assist systems, and retail sales are "being studied" said Mahmoud.

Expect the monocoque SUV to be first cab off the rank likely in early 2027, with JAC promising five-star ANCAP and local tuning when it lands.

The ute-based wagon will follow only once JAC is happy with it and both are likely to get local tuning from ex-Holden chassis engineer Michael Barber.

Expect pricing to be highly competitive.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au