The Imperial Group's Commercial Vehicle Holdings will launch JAC Trucks South Africa and its MCV range at this month's Auto Africa.

JAC SA had wanted to introduce three- and four-ton trucks with sales due to start early next year. The plan was to later introduce 1,5-, two- and five-ton derivatives once the initial trucks had proven themselves in local operating conditions.

JAC Trucks SA now appears to be revisiting the viability of introducing its entire range here "as the cost advantage no longer seems as clear as it did last year". JAC Trucks SA has tied up with Jianghuai Automobile Company Limited, China's second largest producer of light trucks, which is evidently also considering a merger with Chery Automobile Company Limited.