JAC T9 to be locally assembled in Malaysia, PHEV production starts in November

Evolvelectric Motors, the Malaysian distributor for JAC Motors pick-ups, has signed an agreement with FT Assembly, a subsidiary of Feytech Holdings, to assemble the JAC T9 locally in Kulim, Kedah.

The agreement covers all three T9 powertrains: diesel, petrol PHEV and battery electric.

Once local production starts, the T9 PHEV and T9 BEV will be the first locally assembled plug-in hybrid and fully electric pick-ups in Malaysia, respectively.

The T9 PHEV will be the first version to enter local assembly, followed by the diesel and BEV versions.

Production is expected to start in November 2026, with first-year capacity of around 3,000 units. The T9 BEV is targeted to start production in January 2027.

The vehicles will be assembled at Feytech's facility in Kulim. FT Assembly has invested RM 3.6 million to set up an 84,000 sq ft assembly plant, with potential investment expected to increase to RM 8 million over the next three years.

The plant is targeting up to 30% local content and is expected to generate around RM 230 million in economic value each year.

Evolvelectric Motors CEO Lau Yit Mun said many Japanese and US manufacturers have chosen Thailand as a base for pick-up production, while JAC and Evolvelectric Motors have chosen Malaysia instead.

He also said JAC is looking at using Malaysia as an export base for locally assembled pick-ups, although this will depend on whether the right conditions are in place.

The T9 PHEV is expected to arrive in Malaysia in early November as a CBU model before local assembly begins.

It combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors, giving it four-wheel drive and a combined output of 523 PS and 1,000 Nm.

Power comes from a 31.2 kWh LFP battery, with around 100 km of pure-electric range and a combined range of around 1,000 km.

The T9 diesel is currently priced at RM 119,888, while the T9 BEV costs RM 199,888. Both are on-the-road prices excluding insurance in Peninsular Malaysia.

The price and exact launch date of the T9 PHEV have not been announced yet. Based on the current prices of the diesel and BEV versions, the PHEV may sit somewhere between the two, but this is only an estimate and not an indication of its eventual price.