JMC Dadao: Chinese ute spotted at Ford Australia's engineering headquarters

A Chinese ute from a relatively unknown brand has been spied at Ford Australia’s engineering headquarters in Melbourne – the same facility where the Falcon, Territory, Ranger and Everest were developed.

The JMC Dadao ute – also known as the JMC Grand Avenue – was unveiled in March 2023 based on an all-new frame platform with petrol or diesel engines and an electric version set to follow.

"As part of our work as Ford’s engineering, development, and design hub for the region, we regularly evaluate products from other manufacturers, including those not sold in Australia," said a Ford Australia spokesperson.

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Like previous Chinese-market Fords spotted in Australia, the Dadao is here as the brand’s Melbourne engineering base – known as the Asia Pacific Product Development Centre – is also responsible for evaluating foreign products, not just those bound for local showrooms.

Under the bonnet, the petrol Dadao features a version of Ford’s 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder, which is also fitted to the Ranger, Everest, Mustang, Focus ST and Volkswagen Amarok.

This is due to Ford’s joint venture with JMC – short for Jiangling Motors Corporation – in China, which has led to several co-developed vehicles since the mid-1990s, including the Ford Territory small SUV that bears no connection to the Australian model, apart from borrowing its name.

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It is not to be confused with JAC, an unrelated Chinese brand that has re-launched in Australia with its new T9 diesel ute.

The 2.3-litre turbo-petrol in the JMC Dadao produces 180Nm and 400Nm – compared to 222kW and 452Nm in the Volkswagen Amarok in Australia. It is matched to a six-speed Getrag MT82 manual – also found in some Ford products – or an eight-speed ZF torque-converter automatic.

A diesel version of the JMC Dadao is also available, featuring a 130kW/450Nm 2.3-litre four-cylinder matched to the same six-speed manual or eight-speed auto as the turbo-petrol model.

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Above: The JMC Vigus, sold in Australia between 2014 and 2017

The JMC Vigus dual-cab ute was sold in Australia between 2014 and 2017 before its factory-backed distributor, JMIE Australia, entered voluntary administration in mid-2018.

Like the modern Dadao, the JMC Vigus also featured a version of Ford’s EcoBoost turbo-petrol motor.

JMC has not announced any plans to return to the Australian new-car market.