The content of the article:
- In a still whirlpool
- Perspective and quality
- JAC in Russia
The car manufacturer JAC has brought its new models of SUVs to Russia ... Who brought it? Which manufacturer? Polls among car enthusiasts have shown that almost no one knows anything or even heard about this brand. Meanwhile, this Chinese brand is no longer a newcomer to our car market.
In a still whirlpool ...
Little known among Russian drivers, JAC Motors has existed since 1999 and is not only the largest state-owned car manufacturer, but also equipment for the needs of the Chinese army. The plant is equipped with the most modern foreign equipment, has large production areas and today is considered one of the most high-tech enterprises, producing more than a million cars annually.
The history of the company goes back to 1964when it was still called Hefei Jianghuai Automobile and specialized in the production of trucks. And the company gained its first glory thanks to reliable and practical trucks, the first of all Chinese production to hit the world car market and gained wide popularity.
Now under the JAC brand you can find a full range of cars: all types of trucks from light and medium-duty to heavy, dump trucks and construction equipment, buses and minivans, cars and electric cars, as well as spare parts, chassis and other units.
Moreover, on the territory of production there is its own research and engineering and laboratory complexes and even a testing ground, where the manufacturer first develops its products, and then for two years tests and conducts a resource check to obtain the highest quality model.
The assembly shops themselves, with a differentiated level of localization, are located in 16 countries, including within the framework of joint ventures, which, for example, are available in Brazil, Vietnam and Kenya.
Since 2004, Hyundai has been a technological partner of the Korean manufacturer, together with which a mid-size minibus Refine has already been produced, which received a platform from Hyundai Starex for its basis, and then a passenger car based on the Santa Fe of the first generation.
And since 2012 the plant has been cooperating with Toyotaby developing a full-size off-road vehicle, as well as a new generation of city buses and excursion buses.
In 2005, JAC became the first automaker to open its design center, first in Italy and a year later in Tokyo. And in 2010, the company took on the design of an electric car, which was ready in the same year and even presented at the Beijing Auto Show.
Thus, by 2018, the Chinese manufacturer has gained prominence in Asia and the Middle East, South America, Australia and Africa, supplying high quality products that meet the strict international environmental and technical safety standards of each of these countries.
Commercial vehicles have won national awards more than once, as the best in their industry, and also became leaders in terms of sales. At the moment, the JAC engineering team is closely engaged in the design of vehicles running on alternative fuels, including electric vehicles with a range of more than 250 km, of which more than 10,000 have already been produced.
Perspective and quality
JAC focuses its activities on the ideal quality of its products and perspective. That is why all cars are distinguished by a modern look, manufacturability, reliability and safety. All models are immediately sent off the assembly line for a 100-kilometer run, as a result of which specialists check the condition of all units and assemblies. For exported equipment, a state interdepartmental commission is additionally appointed, which allows or prohibits the sale of products abroad.
In the Technical Research Center of the company, which has 4 institutes and 1000 employees, various kinds of tests and research are carried out, which not every European or American automaker can boast of. Such meticulous attention to the introduction of the latest technologies, constant monitoring of the security level clearly demonstrates the responsibility of the enterprise and the seriousness of intentions regarding the distribution of its products.
Not only JAC cars, but also trucks are so richly equipped that they are superior to some competitors. Considering the balanced combination of price and quality, JAC light duty trucks are steadily purchased by road, construction enterprises, and military structures.
Another proof of the reliability of the manufacturer is the availability and range of spare parts, thanks to which any JAC owner, whether an individual or a legal entity, will not experience problems with the repair and maintenance of their vehicles.
JAC in Russia
The current arrival of a Chinese manufacturer in Russia is already the third attempt to gain a foothold in the market. The first attempt was made in 2007, and the next in 2014, when the Chinese even opened their assembly shop at the Derways plant in Circassia. But both times Russian consumers showed no interest in this brand, failing to meet the corresponding demand.
Now JAC has decided to go for broke, bringing with it the S3 and S5 crossovers, which are assembled in Kazakhstan and which, due to the absence of customs duties, will be affordable.
The front-wheel drive compact urban crossover S3 has a pronounced oriental appearance and is designed for young car enthusiasts. Its wheelbase is 2560 mm, the front suspension has MacPherson struts and a torsion beam at the rear. Due to a special alloy of high-strength, super-strong and increased strength steel, the car acquired a curb weight of only 1220 kg. At the heart of the car is a 1.5-liter 111-horsepower gasoline engine, paired with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission, reaching speeds of up to 180 km / h and consuming no more than 6 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers.
Although the crossover is positioned as a budget model, it is well equipped with:
- full power accessories;
- navigator;
- Cruise control;
- audio system;
- chairs adjustable in six directions;
- heated and electric mirrors;
- electronic assistants and tire pressure sensors.
Based on the dimensions of the model and technical characteristics, its direct competitors in the Russian market are Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta, in comparison with which the "Chinese" has a number of unconditional advantages.
So, the S3 received a good ground clearance of 200 mm, which is very practical for domestic roads, a permanent all-wheel drive and a large trunk of 500 liters compared to 475 liters for the Duster and 402 liters for the Creta. And, finally, the price for the new crossover will start from the amount of only 750 thousand rubles against 880 thousand for the recent Korean partner with his Creta model.
The "elder friend" JAC S5 has a more aggressive look and evokes associations with the Hyundai ix35, although it surpasses it in size. It received a more powerful 2-liter 4-cylinder 136-horsepower gasoline engine, and for an improved configuration - a 176-horsepower turbocharged version of it, consuming just 1 liter more than its counterpart. The crossover has no technical sophistication: front-wheel drive, 5-speed manual transmission, ABS, EBD, navigation, parking sensors.
The model has all the standard safety features for the driver and his passengers. Also, Chinese engineers assure that the car's structure is made of high-quality high-strength steel, which does not differ from the bodies of any eminent SUV.
The cost of the new crossover has already been announced, which will be 900 thousand rubles or 1 million rubles for the version with a turbo engine, which is a little, but still cheaper compared to the Korean "analogue" ix35.
However, test drives and owner reviews show that this Chinese car is not a direct competitor to Hyundai, yet there is still work to be done on the finish and technical part. Whereas in terms of the totality of its characteristics, it is quite comparable to such a crossover of the budget segment as the Geely Emgrand X7.
With the overall impressive accomplishments of the Chinese auto industry that it has demonstrated in recent years, his cars still do not quite match the same Korean competitors, not to mention European or Japanese level. But it should be admitted that JAC cars, at not the lowest prices, are worthy of the requested amount due to really good quality and rich equipment for their models.
JAC
