JAC T9 PHEV Pickup Rolls Out in Malaysia from MYR 155,000

Malaysia now has its first plug-in hybrid pickup truck. JAC Motors has launched the locally assembled T9 PHEV, with prices starting at MYR 155,000 (US$ 37,990) for the Standard variant and MYR 163,000 (US$ 39,950) for the Adventure, excluding road tax and insurance.

The Chinese automaker's local distributor, Evolvelectric Motors Sdn Bhd, has begun rolling the T9 PHEV out across its nationwide dealer network. Assembly sits with FT Assembly Sdn Bhd (FTA), a subsidiary of Feytech Holdings Bhd, which builds the T9 range from completely knocked-down (CKD) kits imported from China. That arrangement makes JAC the first mover in a segment no other OEM currently occupies in the country.

What powers the T9 PHEV?

The four-wheel-drive truck pairs a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors. Combined output stands at 489 PS (360 kW) and 1,000 Nm of torque. For comparison, that torque figure matches or exceeds most diesel pickups in the segment while adding electric drive.

Three numbers define the efficiency case:

• Up to 100 km of all-electric range
• 1,000 km of total range
• Fuel consumption as low as 1.6 litres per 100 km

The 31 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries come from Gotion High-Tech, a major Chinese cell supplier. LFP chemistry (an iron-based cell type known for thermal stability and lower cost than nickel-based alternatives) has become the standard choice for PHEV and entry-level EV packs.

What driver assistance does it carry?

The T9 ships with JAC's Advanced Driver-Assistance System 2.0. The suite includes adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, speed limit assistance and a driver monitoring system. The equipment list places the truck closer to passenger-car ADAS expectations than to the bare-bones specification typical of work-site pickups.

How does the local assembly structure work?

The program follows a familiar pattern for Chinese OEMs entering Southeast Asian markets. JAC supplies CKD kits from China; FTA, as contract assembler, performs local assembly; Evolvelectric Motors handles distribution and retail. Feytech Holdings, FTA's parent, anchors the industrial side of the partnership.

Two variants reach showrooms: the Adventure at MYR 163,000 and the Standard at MYR 155,000. Both prices sit before road tax and insurance, so on-the-road costs will land higher depending on Malaysian duty and fee structures.

What to watch next

The open question is volume. JAC and Evolvelectric Motors have not disclosed assembly capacity targets or sales forecasts for the CKD line at FTA. Watch for the first monthly registration data to gauge whether the PHEV pickup proposition — a first for the market — converts into demand, and whether competing OEMs respond with electrified entries of their own in Malaysia's pickup segment.