After 58 years of making cars in China, the BAIC brand decided to open a sales branch in the Helderberg under the auspices of Group 1 Auto which owns 13 motor retail branches. A year later the BAIC franchise at 181 Main Road (opposite Saayman Motors) offers not only JAC bakkies and trucks but also BAIC’s Beijing cars.
BAIC, a Fortune Global 500 company for the past seven years, has established an assembly plant at the Coega Special Economic Zone near Gqeberha. In phase 1 semi-knocked down kits are assembled. Phase 2 will see the introduction of CKD (completely knocked down) kits. This means local factory support is available.
Strand branch manager Jaco van Rooyen is extremely excited about their main offering, the premium positioned Beijing x55, which won the 2023 Car of the Year Compact Family Car category and is just the start of big things to follow. The small to medium-sized Beijing x33 has a 1.5-litre turbo engine producing 130 kW and 305 Nm through a seven-speed DCT gearbox, with a claimed average fuel consumption of 7.2 F/100 km. The warranty is a good five years or 150 000 km and service plan also five years or 60 000 km. There are three trim levels costing from R421 000 to R481 000. The cars, which are designed at the Turin Styling Centre in Italy, are comprehensively equipped.
Currently BAIC also offers the medium sized B 40 plus SUV in diesel and petrol. Prices from R564 000 to R650 000 depending on engine, equipment and trim level.
JAC bakkies come in two versions at present, T6 and T8. The T9 is to follow shortly.
The T6 double cab is currently available in three derivatives, the 2.0-litre VVT petrol engine 4×2, the 2.8-litre Diesel 4×2 and the 2.8-litre Diesel 4×4. The T8 is available as either 1.9 TDi or T8 2.0L CTi.
The JAC X200 is a capable, affordable diesel business LDV available as a 1.5-ton dropside or chassis cab in single cab and double cab formats.
The trucks range from three to nine ton capacities.
The Helderberg branch is growing quickly and will shortly offer the full service offering. At the moment the cars are serviced at the Stellenbosch branch, but a courtesy service is in place.
In the next few months the T9 bakkie and the B80 offroader will be added to their offering.
The team at Group 1 Auto are hard at work building the BAIC brand and the premium Beijing sub-brand.
