adminthis bakkie, the handling is not so bumpy. A leaf suspension kills a lot in a bakkie and makes it a tiring ride especially if you do so much city driving without any loads. Loading it with stuff balances it out though.
Even though the JMC brand has gotten a bit of bashing over the years, in Southern Africa, it is fast taking a chunk in the bakkie market.
After being introduced a few years ago, it has become very favourable because of the pricing and reliability.
Usually bakkies are boring with the stiff clutch and less comfort. it is not bad at all.
The drive is smooth and it comes standard with your basic features like the radio, aircon and ABS.
For the price, you will be left with so much change that you will fit in a few extras. Available in a double cab and single cab, the farmer can get the single cab for himself and the double cab for the wife.
This vehicle can be used to move a lot of dirt and other stuff for your home or business every day of the week. Most people or businesses who invest in this vehicle mean serious business.
It can ferry five adults together with a fair amount of goods in the back.
With its towing capabilities, you can tow one-tonners easily without having to worry about anything breaking. Its offroad capabilities are average which will be a plus for the farmer or the miner who does rough terrains from time to time.
It’s available in 4×4 and 4×2.
Most 4×4 don’t handle dirt roads well, with some brands you even wonder why they say it’s a 4×4 yet when you get stuck and need the function, you might just end up being bailed out by a farmer driving his tractor.
The only advise to anyone buying one is that this is not a 4×4 adventure vehicle, so stay away from the real 4×4 track and even some of the 4x4s are towed out by tractors. If you look for trouble, you will find it and there might not be a tractor to save you . . .
Jiangling Motors Co. Ltd (“JMC”) is one of the biggest companies in China’s commercial vehicle industry and one of China’s Top 100 Listed Companies for a consecutive five years.
In the middle of 1980s, JMC initially introduced internationally advanced technology to manufacture light-duty truck and became China’s main light truck manufacturer.
In November 1993, JMC successfully issued A shares on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and became the first listed company in Jiangxi Province.
Besides, JMC initially issued B shares by ADRs to introduce a foreign strategic partner in 1995.
Currently, American Ford Motor Company(“Ford”) is the second largest shareholder in JMC.
As an early company with foreign investment in Jiangxi, with the support of its strategic partner Ford, JMC develops rapidly and gains ground.
In 1997, JMC worked with Ford to launch the Transit light bus which was the first co-developed vehicle by China and a foreign company in China.
JMC has absorbed global top product technology, manufacturing processes and management concepts, applied a reasonable share balancing system, highly efficient and transparent operations, and high-standard business management; and formed a standard management operation system.
JMC products include transit commercial vehicles, the Kaiyun light truck, Baodian pick-up and Baowei BUV, which are the models of fuel-saving, practicality and environment friendliness.
Fuel economy is 10km per litre.
The only thing that is frustrating is that I would have liked a bit more torque. Overall, this is a perfect vehicle for the price.
It does come with the basic safety features like your ABS brakes, central locking, etc, but we all know that if you are a good driver you always make your fellow motorists and yourself safe.
Also with Quest Motor Corporation offering all the after-sales service right here in Zimbabwe, it makes life easier.
At a base price starting at under US$25 000 and a warranty of two years or 50 000km from JMC-Isuzu Jiangling, this is a good buy.
l Fact D. Jeke is a motoring enthusiast who has attended auto shows, rallies and has written for various publications in the region for the last decade. She can be contacted via email on [email protected]
Online Reporter