Jetour shows its calculations for T2 payload capacity

Jetour South Africa has once again had to issue a response regarding the payload capacity of its T2 SUV, which took home the top prize in the 2026 Car of the Year Awards.

In the weeks following the win, reports started surfacing online that the payload capacity of the vehicle was simply too small, and that in the event of an accident, it could prove difficult for owners to make an insurance claim as the Jetour T2 does not meet South African road regulations.

The manufacturer has rubbished the claims, and last month, issued a statement unpacking the precise nature of the payload capacity, as well as confirming its approval with local motoring regulatory bodies.

Jetour South Africa confirms official capacities for 2026 Car of the Year winner

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), however, was not satisfied, and noted that the calculations used do not meet the requirements for SA roads that other manufacturers have had to adhere to.

Now, Jetour South Africa has issued a new statement, further detailing its calculations, and explaining how the T2 is road legal and meets the country’s payload capacity requirements.

“The original payload at the time of the local launch of the T-Series in October 2025 was calculated by Jetour International using the formula: GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) less the MIRO (Mass in Running Order). MIRO is defined as the vehicle’s mass in running condition, typically including standard equipment, operating fluids and fuel and a driver,” it shared in a release with Hypertext.

“When concerns regarding the Jetour T-Series payload capacity were first raised, Jetour South Africa identified that this calculation is, in fact, not the formula commonly used by OEMs in South Africa and therefore does not provide a like-for-like basis for comparison. To provide a consistent basis for comparison, the corresponding formula used to calculate a vehicle’s payload is GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) less the TARE weight. TARE is defined as the vehicle’s unladen mass, excluding the driver and including standard equipment and a specified amount of 10 litres of fuel, before the addition of passengers, luggage or cargo,” it continued.

In efforts to conduct further testing, Jetour SA said it enlisted the assistance of TÜV NORD, which is an independent German testing, inspection and certification organisation. It conducted a braking performance and brake efficiency assessment to determine the T2’s payload capacity, based on the vehicles GVM and TARE weights.

“By applying this revised calculation and further verified testing, Jetour South Africa can ensure that its payload figures are directly comparable with those of other OEMs in the South African market,” noted Jetour.

“Further to the international testing, Jetour South Africa took an additional step to independently validate the revised payload figures by conducting its own formal weighing exercises in the presence of the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications. (NRCS) across the T2 range,” it stated.

The tested payload capacities of the three Jetour T2 models sold locally are as follows:

• T2 Odyssey: 500kg,
• T2 Explora: 479kg,
• T2 i-DM: 478kg.

Moving forward, Jetour said that it will be in close communication with local T2 owners, to ensure that they have all the necessary information when it comes to the payload capacity of the vehicles.

“Together, these testing processes provide confirmation of the Jetour T2’s payload capacity, with Jetour South Africa officially setting the payload capacity at 475 kg across the T2 range. A licensing solution for our T2 customers is being prioritised in consultation with the NRCS, and further details will be communicated directly with each customer,” it concluded.

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