JMC set for Kiwi market

Armstrong’s has announced a strategic partnership with Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) to represent the commercial-vehicle brand in New Zealand.

The agreement was signed at the JMC’s head office in Nanchang, China, and will deliver Kiwis access to a range of “exciting new products”.

“JMC has strong appeal to us as we have identified an opportunity in the market for affordable, durable and capable commercials suited to the evolving needs of drivers and businesses,” says Rick Armstrong, founder and executive director of Armstrong’s.

“JMC is recognised as a commercial-vehicle specialist and its products will be a welcome addition to the other carefully chosen brands our Auto Distribution Holdings Ltd [ADHL] division manages.  

“We see the JMC product portfolio as highly targeted and focused. It will be complementary to our existing brands, and strengthen our own and partner dealer operations.”

JMC, which produced its first vehicle in 1968, offers a range of commercials including utes, vans and buses. It has well-established partnerships with Ford and Isuzu. In addition, it has a “world class” supplier base with key partners, such as Bosch, Continental, Denso and ZF.

Sun Xiaoquan, president of JMIE, which is JMC’s sole export agent, adds: “I’m excited to bring our new products to a market where their capability and value will be fully appreciated. New Zealand will be JMC’s 111th export market, and joins South Africa and Australia as recently added markets.

“We recognise New Zealand is a competitive market, and are confident our all-new models will resonate with drivers who demand capable products that can support commercial and lifestyle needs. These products are built to deliver on the job, off the job as well as on and off-road.”

Simon Rutherford, ADHL’s chief executive, says: “When researching the JMC opportunity, we quickly discovered it is a brand forging a trusted reputation globally built on key foundations.

“Its vehicles combine strong real-world capability with highly competitive pricing, creating a compelling proposition for New Zealand customers. They feature robust construction, which makes them incredibly durable, and feedback from users in existing markets is drivers appreciate the peace of mind knowing their vehicle can handle more than a bit of the rough stuff.

“JMC also now offers a versatile new-model portfolio. We’re in the process of refining exactly what our launch sequence will be in New Zealand, but all new arrivals will deliver on looks, capability and value.

“And of high consideration, especially in the current environment, is a commitment to lower operating costs for customers who need power with fuel efficiency and do not want to compromise on capabilities. We plan to provide options to match particular use cases.”

More information about the new Armstrong’s JMC partnership, including the official New Zealand website, product line-up and pricing, will be released at the start of 2026’s third quarter.