Malaysia's First Locally Built EV And PHEV Pick-Ups Are Coming From JAC

Malaysia's pick-up truck market is about to get a rather interesting first.

JAC's T9 EV and upcoming T9 PHEV are set to become Malaysia's first locally assembled electric and plug-in hybrid pick-up trucks, as the Chinese automaker prepares to move production of the T9 range to Kulim, Kedah.

And JAC isn't stopping with the two electrified versions either.

Local distributor Evolvelectric Motors has signed an agreement with FT Assembly (FTA), a subsidiary of Feytech Holdings, to locally assemble the T9 in PHEV, diesel and fully electric forms.

Better still, there's already talk of Malaysia-built JAC pick-ups eventually heading overseas.

T9 PHEV Starts CKD Production First

JAC isn't switching all three variants to CKD production at once.

The T9 PHEV will kick things off in November 2026, followed by the diesel model. Local assembly of the T9 EV is then scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Interestingly, the PHEV is expected to arrive in Malaysia as a fully imported (CBU) model in early November before local production gets underway. Evolvelectric Motors says it will also become Malaysia's first PHEV pick-up.

As for what powers it, we're looking at a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with two electric motors, giving it all-wheel drive.

Combined output is quoted at a rather serious 523 PS and 1,000 Nm, while a 31.2-kWh LFP battery provides up to 100 km of electric driving. JAC claims a combined range of up to 1,000 km.

So this isn't simply an electrified version of the existing diesel T9. On paper at least, that 1,000 Nm figure puts the PHEV in very different territory.

Meanwhile, The T9 EV Is Already Here

Electric T9 isn't actually new to Malaysia. JAC launched the T9 EV here alongside its diesel sibling in March 2025, with Carz reporting prices of RM199,888 for the EV and RM119,888 for the diesel, both initially arriving fully imported from China.

At launch, the EV was notable for becoming Malaysia's first battery-electric pick-up available to private buyers.

Its dual-motor 4x4 setup produces 308 HP and 516 Nm, drawing power from an 88-kWh LFP battery with a claimed WLTP range of 340 km. Our original JAC T9 launch coverage has the full Malaysian specifications and equipment list.

Now, roughly a year and a half later, JAC is preparing to add another first by assembling it here.

They'll Be Built In Kulim

Local assembly will take place at FT Assembly's facility in Kulim, Kedah.

FTA has invested an initial RM3.6 million to establish the 84,000 sq ft JAC assembly facility, with potential investment of up to RM8 million over the next three years.

First-year production capacity is estimated at 3,000 units, while the programme is targeting up to 30% local content.

The companies also estimate the operation could generate around RM230 million in annual economic value, while supporting jobs and Malaysia's automotive supply chain.

There's another interesting Malaysian industry angle here too.

Feytech is already an automotive component supplier, but the JAC project marks its expansion into complete vehicle assembly through FT Assembly.

In other words, this isn't only JAC adding a CKD badge to its pick-up. There's a Malaysian supplier moving further up the automotive manufacturing chain at the same time.

Could Malaysia-Built JAC Pick-Ups Be Exported Too?

Potentially, although this part isn't confirmed yet.

Evolvelectric Motors CEO Lau Yit Mun said JAC is exploring opportunities to export pick-up trucks from Malaysia, provided conditions are favourable.

That's worth watching.

Thailand has traditionally been the regional production powerhouse for pick-up trucks, something Lau himself highlighted when announcing the project. JAC and Evolvelectric are instead establishing their T9 assembly operation in Malaysia.

For now, however, exports remain an ambition rather than a confirmed programme, so the immediate story is what happens in Kulim.