..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
The year 2020 will most probably be recorded in history as one of the most challenging years the world had to face – the human tragedy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating impact on business across the globe. The automotive industry was not spared the subsequent effect of this pandemic, with some domestic markets experiencing extraordinary challenging trading conditions.
However, the JAC Motors Group, one of the rising stars in the automotive industry, has announced that its annual sales in the Chinese domestic market have grown to 453 000 units. This sales performance is 7.6% higher YoY despite new-vehicle sales of the most prominent car market in the world declining by 1.4% YoY, mainly due to the impact of Covid-19.
Similarly, in South Africa, JAC Motors has maintained its market growth since its market inception in 2017 and consistently grew its sales over this period despite the decline of new-car sales of 2.8% and 21.9% in 2019 and 2020.
“Establishing and growing the JAC Motors brand in South Africa has been extremely rewarding,” says Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa. “Many results over this period exceeded my expectations by far. From local customer acceptance of our product range to the global introduction of the company’s new N55EV electric truck, all characterise the makings of a successful automotive brand.
The innovative, newly-launched N55EV is a thoroughly tested electric truck from JAC Motors, fitted with its latest onboard EV technology.
It is safe, reliable, comfortable, and economical and regarded as the perfect light truck option for logistic businesses.
Increased dealer footprint to cater to a bigger target audience.
In July 2017, JAC Motors introduced its pick-up and commercial range of trucks in the South African market, marking a significant breakthrough for the company, which entered the African market through Algeria in 2002. Since then, the company has steadily grown its African footprint and is currently exporting to 28 different countries on the continent.
“From the time we introduced the JAC Motors brand to the South African motoring public, our biggest priorities have been the extension of our dealer network and the implementation of rigid after-sales service capabilities, including a five-year/150 000-kilometre manufacturer warranty,” says Göbel.
Starting with only ten dealers in 2017 and selling an average of 15 units per month, JAC Motors has grown its dealer footprint to 52 dealers countrywide, including 15 dealers selling and servicing its medium and heavy commercial truck ranges.
“With the extension of our dealer network and product range, we are now selling three times more units per month through our inspired dealer group, which represents our brand at the grassroots level. We are pleased with our accomplishments over the last three-and-a-half years. We are especially proud of the enthusiasm of our dealers who have implemented our highly-acclaimed global after-sales programme aimed at supporting the mobility needs of our customers in both the lifestyle- and commercial segments of the market,” adds Göbel.
Versatile workhorse- and lifestyle double-cab bakkie range.
Before the Covid-19 lockdown hit South Africa last year, the company has extended its local product range by introducing the all-new T8 double-cab bakkie with its eye-catching design. The T8 bakkie, available in 4×2 and 4×4 guise, slots in above the T6 double-cab range and now leads the company’s quest in the lifestyle segment of the local bakkie market from just over the R380 000 mark.
The all-new T8 pick-up is the most advanced pick-up ever to be developed by JAC Motors in China and is exported to more than 40 countries worldwide.
The T8 boasts a highly responsive 1.9-litre turbo-diesel power-plant paired to a six-speed manual transmission that effortlessly reigns in all the torque available throughout its powerband.
The contemporary styling of the all-new T8 complements its workhorse aesthetic, with a striking appearance consisting of neat lines, design curves and a stylish front fascia, which make this newcomer to the JAC Motors’ stable stand out from its competitors.
“The latest design elements from JAC Motors’ international design centres in Italy and Japan give the new T8 a rugged appearance. With its attractive styling, good equipment level and high build quality, the new T8 is an outstanding offer in the lifestyle double-cab segment of the market,” says Göbel.
In addition to the all-new T8 bakkie, two T6 Comfort double-cabs in 4×2 and 4×4 configuration complete JAC Motors’ lifestyle bakkie range. The T6 is powered by a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine boasting advanced technology and driver comfort, which have lately become synonymous with modern-day lifestyle double-cabs.
“Our proven and reliable T6 double-cab range is available from just over R320 000, enabling us to extend our product offering to a considerably bigger group of prospective double-cab buyers,” adds Göbel.
Commercial truck range suitable for entrepreneurs and big fleets.
JAC Motors’ commercial range of trucks starts with the X200 single and double-cab derivatives, fitted with 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engines and load capacities of more than 1 000 kg. With an entry-level price-point of under R300 000 for the X200 single-cab, the good news for prospective owners is that this product is also available in tipper format, further increasing the versatility of this reliable hard worker.
“Our reliable 1.5-tonne X200 single-cab for small operators such as electricians and our 1.3-tonne double-cab workhorse that can safely transport workers to and from construction sites, are real favourites with entrepreneurs and big fleet owners,” says Göbel.
The N-series range of trucks on offer by JAC Motors locally comprises four different derivatives with loading capacities varying from three to six tonne, with entry-level pricing of just under R330 000 for the N56 3-tonne truck. The 3-tonne truck series features the company’s highly efficient 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, and the 6-tonne truck is fitted with a durable, proven 3.8-litre Cummins turbo-diesel engine. The 6-tonne truck without the load bin is priced under R500 000 (VAT incl.), making it a strong contender in its category.
The JAC Motors’ five-year manufacturer’s warranty and three-year service plan for the 3-tonne trucks are standard. A two-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturer’s warranty is available to owners of the 6-tonne trucks.
“The reliability of JAC Motors’ products is fantastic and serves as a primary motivator in our worldwide sales approach, with many customers and big transport fleets vowing for this incredible attribute,” adds Göbel.
Focus on mobility needs with customer-centred After-Sales programme.
JAC Motors’ products are globally known for their incredible value-offering, quality, reliability, and credentials as workhorses – supported by excellent after-sales service from its dealer network trained by the Group’s international technical experts.
JAC Motors has successfully established its global customer-centred management concept in South Africa to ensure consistently high customer satisfaction levels and ensure that customers’ expectation levels for all their mobility needs are met.
“The consistent adherence, globally, to the JAC Motors’ customer-centred management concept, has won the favour of customers and has received high praise from the media who have reviewed our products worldwide,” concludes Göbel.
About Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corporation Ltd. (JAC Motors).
JAC Motors may be a relative newcomer to the South African market, yet the state-owned manufacturer is a giant in the Chinese auto industry for more than 50 years and a prolific producer of electric vehicles.
JAC Motors is unique among Chinese manufacturers in that it originally started out producing heavy-duty trucks and then moved into passenger cars.
Today, JAC Motors produces sedans, pick-ups and trucks for left- and right-hand drive markets and has a marketing network covering more than 130 countries in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Central- and South-East Asia and Eastern Europe.
Despite the collapse of the global automotive market after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world in early 2020, JAC Motors still exported nearly 50 000 vehicles to its international export markets. JAC Motors’ pick-ups ranked third on the export list in the Chinese auto industry and have boosted the brand’s growth, further enhancing its competitiveness in the international market.
Since the company entered the African market in 2002, it has exported more than 100 000 units to 28 African countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, and many other emerging markets. JAC Motors’ gains in the African market can be attributed to its emphasis on product quality and localisation as well as its after-sales service programme.
Over the years, the JAC Group has made enormous research and development investments to promote technology continuously. Ranking among the leading innovative Chinese automotive enterprises, the Group obtained 681 new-invention patents during 2020, intending to accelerate the transformation of advanced technology into “continuous improvements” of the user experience.
Some of the pioneering new-energy technologies included in the company’s stable are high-energy density NCM batteries, high-efficiency mute “three-in-one” electric-drive technology, as well as cost-effective heat pumps for air-conditioning.
Over the last 12 months, JAC Motors maintained a leading position in private battery electric vehicles’ actual use. By the end of 2020, the company has promoted the application of more than 170 000 units of new-energy vehicles, with a cumulative mileage of 3.8 billion kilometres.
