• JAC Motors to participate in the 2026 Seven7 Drive for kids with cancer with JAC T8 Comfort 2.0 CTi

  • Driven by wisdom, an enterprising spirit, enthusiasm and vitality, JAC supports the Seven7 Drive mission to bring hope

  • 2026 Seven7 Drive for kids with cancer kicks off on 24 September 2026

JOHANNESBURG, 18 September 2026 - As this year’s adventure of hope throughout South Africa starts the countdown to its official departure, the Seven7 Drive NPC is honoured to welcome JAC Motors as the second brand to heed the call for participation in the 2026 edition. Participating with the JAC T8 Comfort 2.0L CTi, launched in April this year and currently the most affordable double-cab available in South Africa, the T8 Range is one of three offerings JAC Motors has in South Africa, bookended by the work-focused T6 single-cab range and the leisure-focused T9 double-cab range, alongside an additional range of commercial vehicle offerings.

“It is a massive honour for us to be part of the Seven7 Drive and support children facing the challenges of cancer,” says Karl-Heinz Gobel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa. “Knowing that our involvement can bring comfort, hope and new opportunities to these children makes this initiative truly special to us.”

Powered by JAC Motors’ proven 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel engine – with an intercooler and Electric Variable Geometry Turbocharger – and paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the T8’s 104kW of power and 320 Nm of torque will stand it in good stead during the Seven7 Drive, despite it only being available in two-wheel drive configuration. Yet this is no challenge for the annual route: targeted primarily at fleet operators and entrepreneurs who share the brand’s enterprising spirit, its inherently rugged capability and multi-passenger capacity really stand out.

The biggest feather in its cap? Incredible fuel consumption! With an average fuel consumption of 6.5-litres/100km, its 76-litre fuel tank provides an approximate range of 1,100 km – and probably more, considering the mixed driving conditions on the route and if the independent testing conducted at the world-renowned Gerotek testing facility is anything to go by. During these tests, the T8 2.0L CTi achieved 6.1-litres/100km at 115 km/h.

“Our T8 2.0L CTi double-cab was chosen for this trip for two reasons, one being the excellent fuel consumption that contributes to real-world savings during ownership,” adds Gobel. “But more importantly for the task at hand, because its canopy more than doubles the load box capacity, enables us to carry more essential supplies, blankets and toys to bring practical support to the children.”

Founded in 1964 in Hefei, China, JAC Motors has more than 62 years of manufacturing experience across a variety of vehicle types. The brand launched in South Africa in 2017, offering a single model – the X200 single-cab bakkie – and with 10 dealerships. Counting down to a decade of growth on local soil, JAC Motors today boasts a more than 70 dealerships across the country and counts as one of the fastest-growing brands in the country.

“We are honoured to welcome JAC Motors to the Seven7 Drive family and look forward to experiencing the T8’s capabilities over seven days and thousands of kilometres,” says Danie Botha, Managing Director of the Seven7 Drive NPC. “Our mission resonates with the brand’s values of enthusiasm and vitality and, with the extensive care packages prepared by Meals on Wheels Community Services, the T8 is the rugged companion we need to help get the job done.”

The 2026 Seven7 Drive for kids with cancer is scheduled to depart from the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in the City of Tshwane on 24 September 2026.