We’ve seen this play before and before that and before that, but it never gets old: Chinese automakers replicating vehicles from western automakers. One brand that keeps popping up on our cloning radar is Jianghuai Automobile, more commonly known as JAC Motors.
It’s latest accomplishment is the JAC 4R3 pickup truck that makes no attempt to hide the fact that it’s a styling copy of the Ford F-150. Of course, as with other Chinese doppelgangers, the similarities begin and end with the appearance as it’s too costly for automakers to extend the cloning to the mechanical hardware.
The 4R3 will reportedly make its debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April and will then go on sale in China where it will be offered with a 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine pushing out 108-horsepower and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque.
Among other clones produced by JAC Motors is the Reni that mimics the looks of the (previous-gen) Chevrolet Silverado truck series and which is already offered for sale in China in five different versions.
By John Halas
Story References: JAC, Pikadd
JAC 4R3 PICKUP TRUCK
JAC RENI PICKUP TRUCK
