Astara is new distributor of JAC Motors in PH

Astara expands its portfolio of auto brands in the Philippines with the addition of the Chinese brand JAC, which enhances its existing lineup that already includes Peugeot, GAC, and JMC.

"For JAC, the Philippines is of extraordinary strategic and practical significance. In the future, JAC will strictly adhere to the user-centric business philosophy and bolster the relationship with Astara to provide better products and better service experience for Filipino users,” said David Zhang, vice president of JAC Motors.

JAC Motors is a 60-year-old Chinese automaker producing commercial, passenger, and battery-electric vehicles. It has several brands under its umbrella, including the Yiwei passenger vehicles and the Refine (commercial MPVs and vans). There also are two pickup truck brands, JAC and Shuailing.

Which one will Astara bring over to the Philippines? And will all the models be consolidated under the JAC brand? That is still up in the air. We know three models are coming in, and they will be electrified to some degree. Whether it is an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), we will find out soon enough.

One of the possible JAC vehicles Astara could bring to the Philippines is the JS8. It's a midsize crossover SUV that is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 180 PS and 288 Nm of torque. It is then mated to a 6-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. It measures 4810mm long, 1870mm wide, 1758mm tall, and has a 2810mm wheelbase.

Another possible model JAC could bring to the country is the T9 flagship pickup truck. It's packed to the brim with features & in-car amenities like a 360-degree camera, a tablet-inspired touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and a fully digital instrument panel.

It's powered by either a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel pushing 170 PS with 410 Nm of torque or a 2.0-liter turbo-gasoline engine that puts out 231 PS and 380 Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and are available with 4WD. Size-wise, the T9 measures 5330mm long, 1965mm wide, 1920mm tall, and has a 3110mm wheelbase.

"We're excited to include JAC in our global portfolio and exclusively distribute the brand in the Philippines. As a top brand with a presence in over 100 countries, JAC's commitment to quality and focus on electrification perfectly align with Astara’s vision for the future of mobility. Considering this region is pivotal to our international expansion, we are confident in showcasing our capabilities through JAC’s distribution,” said Jorge Navea, CEO of Astara.