South African motorists will see the return of the JMC bakkie brand to local roads, with plans to establish a network of 40 dealerships across the country in 2026. The first of the new-generation JMC Vigus models have already begun arriving in showrooms this week.
Salvador Caetano South Africa, a global automotive group with 75 years of experience and distributors of the GAC car brand, has been appointed the new official importer and distributor. The company aims to re-establish the marque with a focus on vehicles it says are ‘Built for More’.
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The JMC brand, which has a history in the South African market, is an established Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer with long-standing joint manufacturing ventures with both Ford and Isuzu, relationships that date back to the 1990s. This, the company says, informs the engineering and component quality of the vehicles.
The reintroduction begins with the 2025 Vigus range, comprising Single Cab and Double Cab body styles. The Single Cab is powered by a 2,4-litre Puma turbo-diesel engine producing 103 kW and 310 Nm, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, and is aimed at the agricultural and construction sectors.
The Double Cab, available in 4x2 and 4x4 versions, uses a 2,0-litre Puma turbo-diesel with 104 kW and 350 Nm, matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, positioning it for both fleet use and lifestyle purposes.
Underpinning the bakkies is a high-strength chassis and an independent front suspension. The Double Cab measures 5 305 mm in length and offers a braked towing capacity of two tonnes. Both body styles can carry a payload of close to one ton.
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Inside, features include a 9,7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, reverse camera and rear parking sensors, with a cabin layout described as ergonomic and driver-focused.
Buyers will be covered by a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and five-year roadside assistance. Double Cab models come with a standard 3-year/50 000 km service plan, with optional plans available for Single Cabs.
Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director of Salvador Caetano South Africa, says: "JMC aligns with Salvador Caetano’s vision of offering reliable, high-quality, future-ready mobility solutions in markets where customers demand both value and dependability."
Ramsoomar added that the company is targeting a price position that will make the Vigus one of the more affordable and purpose-built bakkies in South Africa. "JMC is back and here to stay, and we look forward to demonstrating this to every single new customer we attract at price points that simply cannot be ignored," he said.
The brand's re-entry into the competitive light commercial vehicle segment is backed by a parent company that employs 34 000 people globally and reports an annual revenue base of approximately R325-billion.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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