JMC Vigus News

China’s JMC (short for Jiangling Motors Corporation) has confirmed it will be relaunching in the Australian market during 2026.The Chinese carmaker was previously in Australia from 2015 to 2018 with a single vehicle, the Vigus dual-cab ute, and left due to poor sales.Danny Lenartic has now been appointed as the CEO of JMC Motor Australia and is spearheading the local expansion of the dealer network. Lenartic has previously been involved in bringing JAC and MG to Australian shores.At this stage Lenartic hasn’t confirmed how many JMC dealers will be established, but the local operation will be a distributor model and not factory-backed.JMC’s first model in its latest attempt at the Australian market is a new version of the Vigus dual-cab ute.This new Vigus is completely unrelated to the previous model offered in Australia.It has already been approved for local sale and Lenartic confirmed pre-production versions are on their way to Australia for prospective dealers to view.According to the local approval filing, the Vigus is powered by a 3.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which produces 118kW and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission which sends drive through an all-wheel drive system.It’s unclear whether this 3.3-litre turbo-diesel engine is an error in the filing documents as the Vigus is currently only offered with either a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder or 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine in China.Other details from the filing include standard 17-inch wheels which can be upgraded to larger 18-inch rims.In China, the Vigus is offered with features like a 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.It’s too early for JMC to announce local pricing and specifications for the Vigus, but it’ll likely be on the budget end of the segment and compete with the likes of the GWM Cannon, JAC T9 and LDV T60, among others.At this stage it’s unclear what other JMC models could be on the cards for an Australian launch. Lenartic told CarsGuide that JMC has a vast portfolio but whatever comes here needs to be right for Australians.“Watch this space,” said Lenartic.JMC offers wide range of commercial vehicles, including utes, vans, trucks and buses. There are electric offerings, too.

A forgotten ute is poised to make a return to the Aussie market, a Federal Department of Infrastructure filing has confirmed.

It doesn't seem all that long ago now that the Chinese car brands simply weren't considered a threat to the established marques in Australia.