JAC Hunter Reviews

Australians are no longer resistant to the idea of buying Chinese cars, because they are instead focussed on value for money, according to the Danny Lenartic, Deputy Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia.

JAC is back, and, with its big, brash and bargain-priced ute - and a national network of more than 50 dealers - it’s going to be hard to miss.

Another electric ute from China is set to make its way to Australia in the form of the JAC T9 Hunter, also joined by a diesel variant.The JAC brand, which had a very brief stint locally about a decade ago, is now managed by Queensland-based bus and chassi

The Chinese vehicle importer, which brings in JAC trucks, SAIC built LDV vans and Higer buses, said it had planned to introduce a ute and two vans produced by JAC to Australia by the start of this yea

White Motors Corporation (WMC) imports JAC trucks, as well as other Chinese vehicles, to Australia and is very serious about the success of the new brand. On staff it has senior executives with extensive experience in the Australian truck industry, usually gained while working with what are now competitors to JAC.WMC has appointed major dealer groups, including AHG, CMC, Adorns and Macquarie, to sell the JAC trucks, and tell us more are at various stages of negotiating agreements.VALUELet’s begin our first local review of Chinese-made JAC trucks in Australia by talking about their prices. Because that’s going to be their big selling point. With recommended retails typically around 15 to 20 per cent lower than those for the current major players in the light commercial field JAC trucks will immediately appeal to those chasing a bargain.We also write about the prices at the start of this news story because the low dollar numbers may help dull some of the upcoming criticisms of the JACs you’re about to read. JAC prices begin at just $36,389 for the entry level J45 4.5-tonne model. On-road costs have to be added but you get a lot of vehicle for under forty grand in a market segment that typically starts in the high forties.JAC is proud of what it says will be exceptionally strong aftersales service in Australia. It also boasts its spare parts pricing will be lower than those for others in the industry. The warranty on JAC trucks is for two years for the complete vehicle, with the driveline being warranted for up to five years. The distance limit on the latter is an impressive 500,000 kilometres.TECHNOLOGYOne reason for the big warranty is that JAC trucks use a Cummins ISF diesel engine. This is a brand new design and uses the latest Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to enable it to meet Euro 5 emission standard.These dedicated truck engines have capacities of 2.8 or 3.8 litres. The former used in the J45, the latter in the J65 and J75 (the numbers represent the GVM of the trucks). Power output is 110 kW in the 2.8 and 105 kW in the 3.8, the apparently odd numbers reflecting the smaller engine is aimed at the car-licence vehicle. Torque tells the full story, with the 2.8 engine producing 360 Nm, and the 3.8 having a very useful 450 Newton metres.The 2.8-litre engine sits in front of a five-speed ZF manual gearbox, the 3.8 gets six forward ratios. An automatic is in the pipeline for the JAC J45 and will help sales with those more used to driving cars than trucks. Standard on all JAC light-duty trucks being imported to Australia are air conditioning, power windows, a radio/CD/mp3 audio system and central locking.The JAC importer says its J65 and J75 models are the only vehicles in its class to have full air brake systems.DRIVINGOur initial test drives were done only in JAC J75s. Our first impression was a serious likeness to an old Isuzu light-duty truck of 10 or so years back. The fit and finish on the Chinese vehicles was quite good, though one of them later developed a squeaking noise from somewhere under the dashboard on the driver’s side. So something wasn’t fastened in correctly.The Cummins ISF 3.8-litre engine is a delight to sit behind and by far the best feature of the trucks. It pulls effortlessly from anywhere over 1000 revs and is willing to use its torque to hold only high gears for long periods. The trucks were loaded to about 80 per cent and we did a fair bit of driving in heavy traffic in the suburbs of Brisbane, as well as in hilly country areas on a roundabout trip south to the Gold Coast.The ZF six-speed gearbox was generally OK, but did tend to bind at times, requiring quite forceful changes on several occasions. Steering was on the vague side and even a highly experienced truck driver I shared vehicles with found it hard to keep on the straight and narrow at times.Despite the compact overall dimensions of the J75 it has a large turning circle that makes manoeuvring in tight spots very difficult at times.Ride comfort isn’t too bad for a light truck, with the suspension coping with most Australian back roads. Tyre and road noise were higher than we liked and would be tiring over extended periods behind the wheel.VERDICTThere’s room for improvement in the JAC light commercials. The local importers are well aware of this and are sending information back to China on a constant basis. If these improvements can be incorporated without any significant increase in prices then light trucks seem assured of success in Australia.RANGEJ45 2.8-litre 4995 kg GVM: from $37,389J65 3.8-litre 6995 kg GVM: from $39,589J75 3.8-litre 7995 kg GVM: from $40,689 J75Price: from $40,689Engine: 3.8L Cummins ISFe5 engine, 105kW/450NmGearbox : six-speed manual  

Jac has launched its initial Australian "J Range" of light-duty trucks at prices that undercut established players by thousands of dollars. The initial three model Australian line-up will cover a wide range of applications and needs, covering GVMs from 4.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes.THE RANGEThe range is headed by the J75 model, featuring a 3.8-litre Cummins ISF, Euro 5 common rail, turbo diesel engine mated to a JAC six-speed manual transmission and with a 7.5 tonne GVM. For buyers requiring a lighter GVM, the 6.5 tonne J65, using the same 3.8 litre Cummins ISF engine and JAC transmission with a tonne less payload.The 4.5 tonne GVM J45, powered by a 2.8 litre Cummins ISF Euro 5 common rail turbo diesel engine, mated initially to a ZF five-speed manual transmission, will be available to Australian buyers from September.VALUEThe three models are the vanguard of an entire range of trucks JAC will bring to the Australian market in the coming years. They are specified to offer the best value proposition in the Australian light-duty truck market. Cummins power gives JAC the credibility of an established internationally recognised engine manufacturer and also gives the light-duty range the power to match or beat, comparable trucks from Japanese manufacturers.ECONOMYThe Cummins ISF in both 2.8 and 3.8-litre form delivers tremendous fuel economy along with a low, flat torque curve making the JAC light-duty models extremely flexible and easy to drive, particularly in city traffic.Cummins' efficiency allows it to use a smaller capacity engine with strong torque across the rev range which in turn means means greatly reduced fuel consumption. The JAC J65 and J75 models are the only light-duty trucks on the Australian market to boast full air brakes enhancing safety, durability and performance.PAYLOADThe J45 model will boast the highest payload capacity in its class with an advantage of between 300 and 400kg on its Japanese rivals. Standard features on all three JAC light-duty models include ABS anti-lock braking, EBD, power windows, air-conditioning AM-FM-CD-MP3 audio system, remote central locking, door pockets, cup holders and entry assist handles. The JAC truck range is also launched with an industry leading 2+3 warranty. 

JAC's first multi-purpose commercial vans, the Sunray and Refine made their debut at Melbourne International Truck Show. They will arrive to join a range of light duty rigid trucks from JAC expected on the market here within weeks. The JAC Sunray van and smaller JAC Refine were unveiled to intense interest from the truck trade. The company's new light duty trucks were also launched in Melbourne. The JAC Sunray tops the company's family of vans offering European styling, the latest emission compliant engines, advanced transmissions and international componentry. Sunray's Euro-styling was developed by JAC's international R&D resources with JAC's Italian Design centre creating the exterior look and JAC's Japanese Design centre handling the interior design. Sunray is the first Euro-style van to be engineered and developed by JAC in China and it has already gained an EU EEC certificate. The Sunray uses JAC's own four cylinder common rail direct injection 2.7-litre inter-cooled and turbocharged diesel engine which delivers 88kW of power at 3600rpm and 280Nm of torque at 2200rpm. This is coupled to JAC's own LCST 28 five-speed transmission while an automatic version will be available when it goes on sale in Australia.Sunray will also be offered with an optional Cummins ISF 2.8litre delivering power of 110kW at 3200rpm with maximum torque of 360Nm at 1800rpm. The Sunray has a wheelbase of 3570mm, a cubic capcity of 14 cubic metres and an agile 14 metre turning circle.It will also be available as a mini-bus/people mover with seating for up to 15 people in either standard or luxury versions making it suitable for a wide variety of operations from airport transfer, to personnel and school bus transport. Safety features in the Sunray will include ABS+EBD braking system and SRS Airbags. The smaller JAC Refine van also meets the latest emission standards with its two-litre twin overhead cam, electronically fuel injected, turbo charged petrol engine, mated to JAC's own six-speed manual transmission.An automatic transmission and a diesel engine are under development for the Refine and they are expected to be a part of the Australian line up when it goes on sale here. The turbo petrol engine delivers maximum power of 120kW at 4000rpm and torque of 235Nm between 3500-4500rpm. Refine will be available as either a cargo van with cubic capacity of up to nine cubic metres or as an 11 seat mini bus/people mover.

The Chinese ute promises a 'royal and comfortable' driving experience and is already on sale in China. Jac will export it to Australia, joining haulers from Great Wall, Foton and ZX Auto.It's called the Reni and is a Toyota Hilux size ute available as a crew  cab now, but will also be made as a single cab. Sydney-based White Motor Corporation (WMC) will distribute the new ute in Australia.The company already imports buses from Higer and is about to launch JAC light trucks this March. It will expand its footprint with one Higer van and two JAC vans during the middle of the year. WMC was deep in negotiations to import a ute from JAC rival brand Foton, but negotiations fell over when the parties could not agree on pricing. Within weeks of knocking back the Foton Tunland ute distribution deal,  WMC was surprised when JAC management confirmed it would make the Reni ute available for Australia from the end of next year.Given the quality issues that have pushed back the launch of the JAC light truck range,  which was initially slated for a mid-2011 launch, that could stretch out  to the first half of 2013.Still, it is a considerable commitment to build the Reni for Australia given the ute is currently only produced as a left-hand-drive model. The Reni, often referred to as the Pick-Up in China, will be offered as a two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive with a manual transmission to start off with, while an automatic will join the line-up later.The Reni runs JAC engines, instead of being fitted-out with a Cummins powerplant as is the case with JAC light trucks and large vans.  A 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel manages 68kW and 210Nm, while a 2.3-litre petrol four-cylinder generates 78kW and 190Nm. JAC, which is short for Jianghuai Auto Company, is especially strong in the truck market in China, but also produces a full range of passenger cars.