JAC Motors electric trucks officially launched 

After teasing its arrival late last year, JAC Motors New Zealand has now officially welcomed the truck brand into the country with the support of two dealerships. 

The Kiwi-backed battery electric and diesel truck brand has been working behind the scenes to ensure its vehicles offer the best for New Zealand businesses. 

This includes completing thousands of kilometres of EV testing on local roads with a focus on city driving and last mile delivery, with the team reaching over 200km fully loaded on a single charge.

The JAC Motors range of light duty trucks will be supported by full dealerships both in Auckland by Southern Autos Manukau and in Christchurch with Avon City, while also being supported by its national fleet team. 

JAC Motors NZ general manager Andrew Craw says the team is “breaking the mould of traditional truck sales by offering Kiwis the option of being fully supported by a more traditional vehicle dealership experience”.

He sees the brand as being “a great option for some of the smaller businesses that maybe want one or two trucks”.

And with the transition to electric trucks the team is “able to do the heavy lifting for them” Craw adds.

The brand also stressed that they are ready for business, already boasting a nationwide network of JAC Service Centres with support from 13 locations with more also planned. 

The dealership launches celebrated the partnership between the local New Zealand teams and the Chinese-based brand, with JAC Motors Global executives including its global chairman Xiang Xingchu in attendance for the ribbon cutting, demonstrating the commitment of the brand to New Zealand and partnership with the New Zealand-owned distributors who are backed by the Colonial Motor Company with over 100 years of automotive history in New Zealand. 

The vehicle range line up will include both fully electric trucks in three models, as well as a Cummins diesel truck in two models. The models see each truck offer a range of wheelbases and GVMs spanning from six tonne up to nine tonne, offering multiple configurations to suit different business needs. 

The official launch of the JAC brand also sees the EV truck specifications confirmed with the model providing a 107kWh EV battery that allows it to reach over 200km, fully loaded on a single charge.

The JAC Motors brand, now one of the top commercial vehicle brands in China, was first launched in 1964, bolstering its success with commercial partnerships including with Volkswagen Group. JAC sells passenger and commercial vehicles to over 100 countries worldwide.

JAC battery electric truck key specifications include: 

• CATL EV 107kWh Battery: Lithium-iron Phosphate 
• Over 200km Fully Loaded EV Range tested around New Zealand-city roads
• 3 modes of Electric Range Regeneration
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including Lane Departure Warning System and Autonomous Emergency Braking
• Fast Charge in 48 minutes, SOC from 20% to 80%
• ePTO (electric power take off) allows for a wide range of uses and bodies for the trucks
• 3365mm, 3845mm, 4475mm EV Wheelbase options
• Two EV Drivetrain options offering 130kw / 1200Nm, and 171kw / 1050Nm with a 2 Stage Gearbox for improved incline driving 
• Electric Park Brake and Easy Gear Selector
• 8 Inch Touchscreen with Reverse Camera and Infotainment System
• 5 Year / 200,000km EV & Truck Warranty

*Go to jacnz.co.nz for more information.