Give Over to Higer Power

FEBRUARY 16, 2011

TWO more Chinese brands are on their way next year, bringing a mix of light commercials and possibly passenger cars. Higer (rhymes with tiger), already here with a range of custom-built buses using Scania technology and engineering, plans to expand  its operations with a van similar to Toyota's HiAce one-tonne range.  Another two Niger van products and a onetonne, ute-style vehicle are set for  importation in late 2011 or 2012. JAC Motor Company joins Higer soon with  a range of trucks and, a little further down the track, light commercials and possibly  passenger cars, though they need to be engineered in right-hand drive first.

JAC trucks have been undergoing local testing for 18 months and have ADR compliance. They will be well specified and compete with Japanese trucks, but at a distinct price advantage. The Higer van has unmistakable styling  links to Toyota's HiAce and is available with a Chinese-made Toyota engine as well as engines from Mitsubishi

Higer is looking at four potential models for local consumption with a choice of sub- 2.5-litre petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines and in manual and automatic transmission. Like other Higer and, indeed, Chinese-built motor vehicles, its P1 should arrive with a substantial price advantage over similar Japanese and European  competitors. Initially a rebadged van from a company called Joy Long, the Niger P1 will roll down  a new assembly line planned for the city of Suzhou in the next few months.

The P1 is tipped to score four stars on the ANCAP crash rating and should have  multiple airbags, safety cell cabins and stability control. Pricing should kick off around the mid-to-high $20,000 mark. After a short drive, we can report it to be  much the same as the Toyota HiAce in terms of performance, ride and feel.

Expected arrival time is late next year.