JMC unveils high-end pickup marque Dadao

Chinese vehicle maker JMC unveiled a new pickup brand to meet the increasing demand for off-road vehicles in China.

The brand, called Dadao, which literally means "big road" in Chinese, aims to explore the high-end segment of the pickup market, said the company.

The marque is expected to create a new segment, which is dubbed as PUV, which stands for "possibility, unique and vehicle".

It is designed as a versatile vehicle that can serve as a tool, a family vehicle and also an off-roader, said JMC.

JMC said Dadao's vehicles are based on the Xuntian architecture, developed in collaboration with Ford, involving over 2,000 engineers.

In terms of performance, there are two engine options: a 2.3-liter turbocharged gasoline or petrol engine.

It has muscular lines, a segment-leading air drag coefficient of 0.38 and seven driving modes for different terrains.

In terms of smart functions, the vehicles have the J-Pilot driving-assist system, the J-Link connectivity system and the J-Space smart cabin system.

Other features including voice command, 12-inch rotatable display and onboard karaoke. The model can also connect with the drone, which can be controlled by the driver or passengers onboard by voice.