Chinese automaker to launch new SUV, pickup in Mexico

MEXICO CITY－Automaker JAC Motors is seeking a 20 percent increase in sales in Latin America, as it introduces new models in the region, said a JAC manager.

In 2018, JAC aims to reach the sales target of 30,000 units across Latin America－including Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela－David Zhang, the company's deputy general manager, told the Xinhua News Agency in an interview.

Last year, JAC Motors, officially known as Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd, sold 25,000 units of passenger and cargo vehicles in Latin America.

"We have built a very good image in terms of our product offering in the region," said Zhang, as JAC celebrated its anniversary of operations in Mexico.

Zhang added that in the second half of this year, JAC will sell its vehicles in Argentina while launching a new SUV and a pickup in Mexico.

Currently, the automaker sells its Sei 2 and Sei 3 SUVs, and J4 subcompact sedan in Mexico. To meet its new sales target, the automobile manufacturer plans to sell about 5,000 units, more than twice its 2017 sales of 2,200 units.

In March last year, JAC announced an investment of 4.4 billion pesos ($235 million) to assemble vehicles in central Mexico, in alliance with Giant Motors Latinoamerica and Mexican financial group Inbursa.

"In China, we have a very complete system in our industry. Now, we have our own technology and our own brand, and that is very important," Zhang said.