Ghandhara Prepares to Roll Out JAC T9 Plug-in Hybrid Pickup in 2026
Ghandhara is gearing up to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the JAC T9 pickup, with a tentative launch timeline set for the first quarter of 2026, according to industry sources. The move comes just months after news of the 2WD variant surfaced, signaling that the company is broadening its strategy around the T9 lineup.
Targeting a New Battleground
If the plan materializes, the JAC T9 PHEV would directly compete with BYD’s Shark 6 PHEV, one of the most prominent names in the emerging hybrid pickup segment. Both trucks fall into the double-cabin category and feature plug-in hybrid powertrains—a combination that could redefine competition in a market still dominated by diesel-powered models.
Why This Could Shift the Market
Pakistan’s pickup market has long been shaped by conventional diesel double-cabins, leaving buyers with few electrified choices. Introducing a locally assembled PHEV truck could shake things up by:
Giving buyers an alternative in the premium pickup range
Forcing rival automakers to accelerate their own electrification roadmaps
In short, it could be the first real test of whether Pakistani buyers are ready to embrace hybrid technology in the utility segment.
What We Know—and What We Don’t
So far, Ghandhara hasn’t released details on pricing, specs, or local assembly levels. But the intention is clear: position the company as an early mover in electrified commercial vehicles. Should the launch stay on track, the T9 PHEV would become one of the first plug-in hybrid pickups available in Pakistan, potentially setting the tone for how quickly the market transitions beyond diesel.
