JMC brand returning to South Africa with two new bakkie products
Image: Supplied
Just when you thought you might get through an entire week without hearing about another Chinese brand launching in South Africa, comes news that JMC is returning to our shores.
But not only is the brand familiar to South Africans; its importer Salvador Caetano has already established itself through its retailing of the GAC brand since its launch in 2024.
The collaboration between Salvador Caetano and the Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) is intended to revitalize the Chinese vehicle brand in South Africa, ensuring availability of parts, local service support and a range of vehicles tailored to the needs of local businesses.
The current-generation JMC Vigus will be launched in 2025.
Image: Supplied
The brand reintroduction will kick off in this year with the release of the current-generation Vigus bakkie, but it will be followed in early 2026 with the introduction of a new-generation Vigus, available in single cab and double cab guises.
This could be the new-generation JMC Vigus.
Image: Supplied
Also on the cards for local introduction is the more upmarket Grand Avenue double cab bakkie.
Overseas the Grand Avenue is available with 2.3-litre turbodiesel and turbopetrol engines, which are based on Ford designs. The diesel unit produces 130kW while the petrol is good for 180kW, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox being available on both.
For the record, JMC is Ford's manufacturing partner in China, and it produces the Ford Territory SUV that's sold in South Africa.
For the commercial market, Salvador Caetano will also offer the JMC Carrying Plus range of trucks in South Africa, aimed at industries such as construction and logistics.
JMC Carryin Plus
Image: Supplied
'Partnering with JMC aligns perfectly with our vision of bringing trusted, high-performance mobility solutions to the South African market,' Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director at Salvador Caetano SA.
'We're proud to represent a brand that shares our commitment to reliability, innovation, and customer-focused service, delivering value to both lifestyle and commercial vehicle customers across the country.'
More information on the local range, specifications and pricing will be released in due course.
IOL Motoring
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Ford bolsters RAM partnership with 100 new Transits
Ford South Africa has strengthened its long-standing relationship with RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers by supplying an additional 100 new Transit vans to the company's growing fleet. The latest delivery brings RAM's number of Ford vehicles in operation to 578, underlining the courier firm's trust in the carmaker's commercial vehicle offering. Since the partnership began in 2004, RAM has taken delivery of more than 1,600 Ford vehicles. The fleet handles demanding daily operations, often covering distances of up to 500km. One RAM Ford Ranger — a 2019 2.0 SiT XLT 4x4 — has passed the 500,000km mark. A further 51 vehicles in the fleet are more than a decade old and have each exceeded 300,000km. RAM deploys its Transits mainly in urban areas, while Rangers are tasked with reaching more remote or challenging destinations. This vehicle mix allows the company to optimise its delivery routes in varying terrain. 'The strength of our relationship with RAM is built on trust in our products, in our after-sales support and in our ability to deliver consistent performance,' said Ryan Searle, director of sales operations at Ford South Africa. 'We're proud to be the backbone of businesses such as RAM, who rely on the proven reliability and low cost of ownership our vehicles offer in high-demand environments. The Transit is designed to work hard while making life easier for the people who drive it every day.'
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
5 most expensive Chinese cars in South Africa in 2025
As they've highlighted in their A-Z of Chinese Brands in SA feature in the June 2025 issue of CAR magazine, among the several Chinese automakers currently trading in South Africa, there are several more heading our way, with each vying for a piece of market share across several segments. Now, while myriad Chinese vehicles were introduced to our shores as more attainable offerings (Chery's Tiggo 4 Pro, for example) a number of cars from the Far East are placed – and priced – within the premium segment. We take a look at the five most expensive Chinese cars that you can buy in South Africa as of July. 5. BYD Sealion 7 Premium – R1 099 900 Introduced alongside the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid bakkie in April, the Sealion 7 forms part of BYD's (Build Your Dreams) Ocean series. In Premium level of specification, the Shenzhen brand's premium emissions-free SUV sports a 230kW/380Nm rear-wheel drivetrain. BYD claims a driving range of up to 567km. 4. Maxus T90 EV double cab – R1 100 000 The only bakkie to make this list, the Maxus T90 EV – which also appeared as an 'honourable mention' in our list comprising South Africa's five most expensive bakkies in 2025 – is the first battery-electric bakkie available in South Africa. The Shanghai automaker's emissions-free double cab is endowed with 150kW and 310Nm of torque, and offers an operating range of around 330km from a single, full charge. 3. BYD Seal Performance AWD- R1 199 900 Perhaps BYD's most dynamic offering in its local portfolio, the Seal is the only sedan on this list. Sporting a 390kW/670Nm dual electric-motor setup and all-wheel drive, the pinnacle variant in the Seal lineup completes the 0-100km/h dash in just 3.8s, the firm claims. The Performance model's driving range is quoted as 520km. However, if operating range is at the top of your list, a 230kW/360Nm single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model – the Premium Extended Range, which is priced from R999 900 – is also available, and offers 570km from a single, full charge. 2. GWM Tank 500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4WD – R1 228 950 The GWM Tank 500 is the only car here that features an internal combustion engine (ICE). However, it does come with electric assistance. Sharing a drivetrain with the Baoding brand's flagship P500 model, which we evaluated for a road test in the November 2024 issue of CAR magazine, the Tank 500's ICE is paired with an electric motor for a combined system output of 255kW and 648Nm of torque. 1. BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD – R1 299 900 The second Sealion 7 and third BYD to make this list, the range-topping Sealion 7 is the most expensive Chinese car you can currently buy in South Africa. Spearheading the Sealion 7 lineup, the Performance derivative's all-electric, all-paw drivetrain produces 390kW and 690Nm, allowing it to launch from a standstill to 100km/h in a claimed 4.5s. BYD claims an operating range of 542km. Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post 5 Most Expensive Chinese Cars in South Africa in 2025 appeared first on CAR Magazine.
TimesLIVE
8 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
What are the main issues facing new Renault CEO Provost?
Incoming Renault CEO Francois Provost will take the helm of the French carmaker at a time when it is beginning to show cracks in its recent success, revising down its full-year profit forecast earlier this month due to weaker sales volumes. Below are some of the challenges ahead for Provost when he takes over on Thursday. Tougher competition While Renault has been largely protected from US tariffs because it does not sell in the US, it has been indirectly hit by increased commercial pressure as European competitors looking for new markets outside the US step up efforts to sell in the French firm's home region. The company reported zero growth in second quarter sales volumes, and warned of weak sales performance in June. It is also facing rising competition from Chinese entrants, both in electric vehicles and hybrids. Analysts at Barclays say Renault may have seen slower price-mix momentum in the first half of the year. The company is scheduled to report full results for the first half on Thursday. Dependency on Europe and cars With sluggish growth in Europe where Renault sells more than 70% of its cars, it needs to expand in emerging markets. It has already outlined plans to invest €3bn to launch eight new models under the Renault brand for non-European markets by 2027. It will also target developing less cyclical businesses beyond cars, such as EV charging and financial services, as part of a midterm strategy which former CEO Luca de Meo had aimed to unveil later this year. Too small, less independent Conscious that its small size does not allow it to fund the development of electrified and autonomous vehicles, Renault has set up numerous partnerships, including with China's Geely in Korea and in combustion and hybrid engines around the world, and with Volvo Group in electric vans. However, this strategy has raised concerns among unions that the company could lose its in-house know-how and its independence. Renault, ranking only 15th in volumes globally, is frequently the subject of rumours of a tie-up with larger peer Stellantis. Partnerships with Geely also have some worried about potential leverage by China, though Renault's main shareholder, the French state, says the tie-ups do not compromise the company's ability to remain independent. A high pace of launches Under de Meo, Renault launched one of the biggest product renewals in its history, with a record 10 launches and two facelifts last year. It is planning another seven launches and two facelifts in 2025, including of the Renault 4 and the Dacia Bigster, and eight more in 2026, according to sources familiar with the matter. Key to increasing market share, new launches also require significant investment in marketing and industrial fine-tuning to deliver cars on time, at the right quality. Van woes A leader in Europe's high profit commercial vehicles market, Renault's van sales plunged by 29% in the first half due to a softer economy, and an overhaul of its models and product offering. Getting back to investment grade One of Renault's top priorities is to get its credit rating back to investment grade to attract new investors, while also boosting its market cap, currently only at €10bn versus Stellantis' €23. Renault's debt is rated Ba1 by Moody's and BB+ by S&P Global, one notch below investment grade. Nissan Since starting to rebalance its partnership with Nissan in early 2023, Renault has done three share sales, and reduced its stake in its Japanese partner to 35.7% (17.05% held directly and 18.66% via a trust). It will need to find the right time to sell more, made more challenging by Nissan's financial and operational difficulties. It will also play a role in Nissan's overhaul, particularly if the Japanese company decides to sign a strategic partnership with another manufacturer. Renault opposed recent plans for a tie-up with Honda because it considered the financial terms were not generous enough.
