By Mabuyane Mabuza
The struggle to articulate, or even process, this article was real. It has been a few weeks since I attended the launch of the JMC Vigus on the outskirts of Gauteng. It was a beautiful day and we gathered at the Lion and Safari Park in Broederstroom.
Yes, I saw the cars and drove them enough for first impressions, but I found myself struggling to process my feelings about them.
Then it hit me. I have been interacting with a lot of high-quality Chinese products lately, and the JMC felt like a downgrade.
The cars I had been driving were not in the same category or competing, but my human brain refused to let this go. So I had to wait for a cool-off period and sober up before making another attempt to give you feedback.
Who is JMC
I am certain most of you have seen JMCs on the road, but did not give them a second glance because the cars do not have the most aspirational look.
Jiangling Motor Company (JMC) is now under the banner of Salvador Caetano South Africa, under the stewardship of Lesley Ramsoomar, an old hand in the South African motoring scene, who has vowed to turn this brand around. Ramsoomar said his company will revitalise JMC for this new chapter, while also meeting customer demands.
“We are bringing renewed energy, strong product support, and a long-term commitment to the country. Our customers deserve consistency, value and confidence, and that is exactly what this new chapter of JMC delivers,” said Ramsoomar.
Launched for the frugal entrepreneur, the Vigus is joining South Africa’s highly competitive bakkie segment. However, this is not an easy space. Customers here are often pickier than those in other segments, especially SUVs.
Hailing from one of China’s burgeoning automotive giants, the Vigus arrives not as a flashy newcomer but as a steadfast contender in a fiercely competitive market. With its no-nonsense approach, the Vigus Pro embodies JMC’s ambition to carve out a significant presence, much like fellow Chinese brands that have already made their mark. Let’s delve into what makes this vehicle a compelling choice, from its strategic brand growth to its practical design and competitive pricing.
JMC has been on our roads for a number of years, quietly doing its thing. But since being acquired by Salvador Caetano SA, this is about to change, according to Head of Marketing at Caetano Group, Brian Smith.
South Africa is a gateway into the SADC region and the rest of the African continent. Any carmaker trying to position itself for future market capture will dip its feet into the SA market first. The repositioning of the JMC brand is no surprise, but a calculated move to emulate the success of brands like Great Wall Motors and Chery, which have steadily built trust through affordability, reliability and localised adaptations.
With Vigus, the automaker is not attempting to be anything it is not, but rather a practical bakkie to meet customers’ basic needs by moving things and people from point A to B without breaking the pocket. Those who want the best of both worlds in a double cab have the option of the 4x2 D/C and the 4x4 at R440 000 and R500 000 respectively.
However, South Africa’s bakkie market is notoriously cutthroat, with established players like Toyota, Ford and Isuzu, and of late GWM, holding strong due to their reputation for durability and resale value. New entrants like JMC face the challenge of proving themselves in this arena, where consumers demand not just affordability but also performance and parts availability.
The Vigus Pro’s competitive edge lies in its entry-level appeal, potentially disrupting the market by attracting budget-conscious buyers who might otherwise opt for used vehicles.
Engine
You have the option of a 2.0-litre Puma turbodiesel and a 2.4-litre Puma turbodiesel engine.
