JMC makes a strong comeback in South Africa with competitive bakkie line-up
JMC has returned to South Africa with a single cab bakkie and two double cab versions.
Image: Supplied
JMC or Jiangling Motors Corporation have officially returned to the South African market after a few years' absence and aims to ruffle the feathers of the bakkie market.
JMC announced earlier this year that they would be coming, and they have now revealed their line-up, which will include a workhorse single cab and two double cabs.
The vehicles will be imported under the Salvador Caetano Auto South Africa banner, who also have the GAC brand in its portfolio, and they intend to open 40 dealerships by 2026.
With Ford owning a 32% stake in JMC, the company is leveraging their partnership in terms of power plants and engineering. Ford’s Territory, sold here, is the result of that partnership, too.
The three-bakkie range includes the single cab JMC Carrying Plus, Vigus Double Cab and the range-topping Grand Avenue.
Single cab
The single cab variation aimed mostly at agriculture and construction is fitted with a 2.4-litre turbodiesel producing 103kW and 310Nm coupled to a simple five-speed manual gearbox.
The manufacturer says it has a payload of “close to a ton” and a towing capacity of two tons.
Double cab
Measuring 5305mm long, 1905mm wide and 1835mm tall, the double cab in either 4x2 or 4x4 derivatives has the 2.0-litre Puma turbodiesel (not dissimilar to the Ford Ranger and Everest) with outputs of 104kW and 350Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear differential lock.
It comes with a high-strength chassis, double wishbone spiral-spring independent suspension up front and a leaf-spring non-independent suspension at the rear.
Interior
There’s not a lot of information about the interior, but depending on the model, it has a 9.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, reverse camera and rear parking sensors and according to JMC, an ergonomic cabin layout with a keen focus on driver-focused control placement.
No pricing yet
With the JMC Vigus Single Cab and Double Cab ranges having been delivered to showrooms this week, no pricing has been announced, but the company did say earlier this year that they were looking at a starting price in the R300 000 region.
“The decision for Salvador Caetano to partner with JMC locally was a strategic and forward-looking one,” said Leslie Ramsoomar, managing director at Salvador Caetano South Africa.
“JMC aligns with our vision of offering reliable, high-quality, future-ready mobility solutions in markets where customers demand both value and dependability.”
All Vigus models come with a five-year/100 000km warranty, five-year roadside assistance, and a three-year/50 000km service plan on double cabs (optional on single cabs).