Chinese commercial vehicle brand JMC confirmed for NZ

Another fresh face has been announced for the New Zealand market in the form of commercial vehicle specialist brand JMC. 

JMC, which stands for Jiangling Motors Corporation Limited, is set to be distributed by Armstrong’s and Auto Distribution Holdings Limited — a group that’s recently taken on the likes of Dongfeng, BAIC, and Leapmotor. 

JMC was founded in 1968 and has “well established partnerships” with both Ford and Isuzu. New Zealand becomes the marque’s 111th export market. 

In the brand’s first local press release, it did not confirm which specific models are set for New Zealand, only instead saying that “a range of modern commercial vehicles” are en route. 

The most likely nameplate is a double-cab ute marketed overseas as the Vigus. The Vigus is currently offered in markets like South Africa, and is set to go on sale in Australia later this year. It is sold overseas with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine making 118kW of power.

New Zealand could also be a taker for the JMC Touring, the brand’s commercial van offering. The Touring shares some components with the Ford Transit, and its fully electric version forms the basis for Ford’s fully electric Transit City van. 

JMC also produces some conventional passenger cars, although they appear to be unlikely starters for our market.

Executive director of Armstrong’s, Rick Armstrong, said there is “clear opportunity” for “affordable, durable and capable commercial vehicles suited to the evolving needs of New Zealand drivers and businesses.” 

“JMC is recognised as a commercial vehicle specialist and the products will be a welcome addition to the other carefully chosen brands that our Auto Distribution Holdings (ADHL) division manages,” he said. 

“We see the JMC product portfolio as highly targeted and focused. It will be complementary to our existing brands and strengthen our own and partner dealer operations across the country.

“JMC offers a range of commercial vehicles, including utes, vans and buses, all of which will be particularly desirable to Kiwi commercial owners and drivers.”

Auto Distribution Holdings Limited chief executive, Simon Rutherford, is no stranger to the commercial vehicle market as former managing director of Ford New Zealand. He believes JMC represents a “compelling proposition” for local buyers. 

“When researching the JMC opportunity, we quickly discovered they’re a brand which is forging a trusted reputation globally built on a number of key foundations,” he said. 

“JMC vehicles combine strong real-world capability with highly competitive pricing, creating a compelling proposition for New Zealand customers. Their vehicles feature robust construction which makes them incredibly durable and feedback from users in existing markets is that drivers appreciate the peace of mind knowing their vehicle can handle more than a bit of the rough stuff if required.”

“JMC also now offers a very fresh and versatile new model portfolio. We’re in the process of refining exactly what our model launch sequence will be in New Zealand, but we know all new arrivals will deliver on looks, capability and value," Rutherford added.

“And of high consideration, especially in the current environment, is a commitment to lower operating costs for customers who need power with fuel efficiency and do not want to compromise on capabilities. We plan to provide a variety of options to match their particular use cases.

“JMC is an established name in the auto industry with a trusted reputation and a focus on quality, reliability and customer satisfaction. We look forward to introducing the JMC range to New Zealand customers and building a strong long-term presence for the brand locally.”