Kia’s Tasman bakkie arrives in South Africa
Kia has taken a bold step into one of South Africa’s most competitive automotive segments with the launch of the Tasman, its first-ever double cab bakkie.
- Product News
- 9 April 2026
JMC in South Africa will get a boost to increase its footprint with a strategic partnership with Salvador Caetano Auto South Africa, which also brought GAC Motor to the country.
JMC is a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer with a history presence in the country over many years with its Vigus double cab bakkie and larger commercial vehicles known to South Africans.
As part of the partnership, JMC will introduce a new Vigus pickup early in 2026 with both single and double cab variants. JMC will introduce the brand with the current Vigus in 2025, which is still available. Joining the line-up is the large Grand Avenue bakkie reminding us of the typical American bakkies or trucks as they are referred to, and closer to home, the GMW P-500 bakkie.
Complementing these is the robust range of JMC Carrying Plus, engineered to tackle heavy-duty tasks with its focus on industries ranging from logistics to construction.
While GAC Motor is not mentioned specifically, it is expected that a number of GAC Motor dealerships will join forces with JMC giving the company a strong commercial leg and vice versa for JMC dealerships. Other JMC dealerships could be integrated with existing multi-franchises.
A spokesperson for Salvador Caetano Auto SA, tells Dealerfloor that although GAC Motor and JMC are both Chinese, they are independent brands with separate identities but with no overlapping product line-ups.
Salvador Caetano Auto South Africa, a subsidiary of the globally recognised Salvador Caetano Group, says this alliance marks a significant step in strengthening JMC’s footprint in the South African market, providing customers with a renewed, reliable and service-focused distribution and support network.
“Partnering with JMC aligns perfectly with our vision of bringing trusted, high-performance mobility solutions to the South African market,” says Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director at Salvador Caetano South Africa. “We’re proud to represent a brand that shares our commitment to reliability, innovation and customer-focused service, delivering value to both lifestyle and commercial vehicle customers across the country.
“The collaboration is set to reintroduce and revitalise the JMC brand in South Africa, ensuring the availability of parts, local service support and a range of commercial vehicles tailored for the needs of local businesses,” he says.
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