JAC is moving the T9 range to CKD production in Kulim, with the PHEV starting first in November before the diesel and EV join the locally assembled line-up.
JAC is moving the T9 pick-up truck to local assembly in Malaysia, with distributor Evolvelectric Motors signing an agreement with FT Assembly, a wholly owned subsidiary of Feytech Holdings, to produce diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions in Kulim, Kedah. The T9 PHEV will be the first to enter CKD production in November 2026, while the EV is targeted to follow in January 2027.
If those timelines are met, JAC says the T9 PHEV and EV will become Malaysia’s first locally assembled plug-in hybrid and battery-electric pick-up trucks respectively.
The diesel will also be assembled locally as part of the phased programme, although an exact production start date has not been specified.
FT Assembly has invested RM3.6 million to establish an 84,000sq ft JAC assembly facility within Feytech’s manufacturing site in Kulim, with potential investment of up to RM8 million over the next three years. The facility will handle vehicle assembly, inspection, testing and quality control.
First-year production capacity is estimated at 3,000 units, while the CKD programme is targeting local content of up to 30%. Evolvelectric Motors says the operation could generate RM230 million in economic value annually, while creating jobs and developing the local automotive supply chain.
Evolvelectric Motors CEO Lau Yit Mun said the company is also exploring the possibility of exporting JAC pick-up trucks from Malaysia, subject to favourable conditions. The company contrasted its approach with Japanese and American pick-up manufacturers that predominantly produce their regional models in Thailand.
The existing JAC T9 range was launched in Malaysia in March 2025 as fully imported models. The diesel T9 is priced at RM119,888, while the dual-motor T9 EV costs RM199,888 on-the-road without insurance.
The next addition will be the T9 PHEV, which Evolvelectric Motors says will first arrive as a fully imported CBU model in early November before locally assembled units begin rolling out from Kulim. The company currently describes it as the only PHEV pick-up truck planned for sale in Malaysia.
The PHEV uses JAC’s H-Power hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with front and rear electric motors. JAC’s Chinese specifications quote a combined output of 523 PS and 1,000 Nm, with a 31.2 kWh LFP battery providing up to 100 km of electric range and around 1,000 km of combined range.
JAC also quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds for the PHEV, while the hybrid system can operate in electric, range-extender, engine-drive and combined-drive modes depending on conditions.
The press release also confirms ADAS 2.0 and a five-star ANCAP safety rating for the T9 PHEV, alongside the 1,000 Nm torque figure and combined range of up to 1,000 km.
For Feytech, the project also marks an expansion beyond automotive components into complete vehicle assembly. CEO and executive director Connie Go said FT Assembly will use the JAC programme to build its light commercial vehicle assembly capabilities, with the facility potentially supporting other automotive brands in future.
