JAC T9 cab-chassis variants incoming

JAC’s local distributor has confirmed it’s set to bulk up its T9 ute family, with a more affordable variant on its way.

Right now, JAC’s Australian product line-up comprises a single model, the T9 ute, offered in two grades. The T9 Oasis is priced from $42,662 plus on-road costs (ORCs), while the T9 Haven is priced from $45,630 plus ORCs.

With both priced north of $40K, the T9 is currently a long way from being the most affordable ute on the market, but the model justifies its price tag with a long list of features and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Now, however, the T9 family is set to grow, with the arrival of new cab-chassis variants priced below the existing Oasis grade that are set to appeal to both tradespeople and commercial fleets.

“We’ve got a cab-chassis variant coming,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, managing director of JAC Motors’ Australian importer, LTS Auto.

“As you know, the [ute] market is about 200,000 units every year. Half of that is fleet, so it’s a big opportunity for cab-chassis and entry-level fleet-spec vehicles as well, so we’re gearing up for that.”

Details are still scant, with JAC’s local chief only stating that the new cab-chassis variant will arrive before the end of 2026 and will be configured as a dual-cab 4x4 automatic.

With no 4x2 manual single-cab on the cards don’t expect the T9 cab chassis to be among the cheapest utes going. However, with an entry price that will surely start with a ‘3’, and the standard inclusions of a 4x4 driveline, an automatic transmission, and seating for five, it should be a well-rounded offering that will attract some interest.

With the exception of a Mexican-market show car (pictured) that was equipped with a sheet-metal service body, a cab-chassis version of the T9 ute presently doesn’t exist. As such, it’s difficult to say whether it will offer more payload capacity or towing capacity than the regular T9 pickup, which has a payload of 1045kg and can tow up to 3200kg in Oasis trim.

The mechanical package will likely be identical though, comprising the same 120kW/410Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel inline four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic that’s already employed in the T9.

Could the ultra-muscular 385kW/1000Nm petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain of the just-revealed T9 Hunter PHEV be grafted in too? It would seem unlikely, given that sort of grunt is at odds with typical fleet requirements, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

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