DFAC Captain E debuts at Brisbane Truck Show

There's a new player in the ultra-competitive light- and medium-duty truck segments in Australia, with Chinese brand DFAC displaying a 4.5-6.0 tonne GVM, 'Captain E' diesel truck prototype at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.

Under Australian distributor KRW Motor Group, which already sells Foton trucks and buses Down Under, the new DFAC range is set to go on sale later this year with diesel 4.5- and 9.5-tonne light-duty truck models, followed next year by battery-powered EV variants.

The DFAC 4.5-tonne light-duty truck is powered by a Cummins Euro 6 121kW/400Nm, 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, with a Faust six-speed AMT transmission, Dana axles and a 120-litre fuel tank.

The DFAC 4.5-tonne model (upgradeable with no modifications to a 6.0-tonne payload) is expected to arrive in KRW dealerships in September 2025. This will be followed in late 2025 by the 9.5-tonne model powered by a Euro 6, 4.5-litre 176kW/850Nm Cummins engine, available in 3800mm and 4400mm wheelbases.

All DFAC trucks come standard with active safety features including lane-departure warning, advanced emergency braking, and forward collision warning, and are backed by a seven year/250,000km warranty, with 24/7 roadside and phone support provided by NTI Truck Assist.

“It’s an exciting time to be bringing the DFAC product to Australia, with the brand providing a specification that is much in demand by the local market,” said KRW Motor Group CEO and founder, Neil Wang.

“In Australia, truck buyers are now looking for an alternative to the well-known Japanese products and with DFAC we believe they will find trucks which will meet the requirements of the Australian market.”

While not officially available yet in Australia, DFAC Australia was advertising at the show a $68,142 drive-away price for the DFAC Captain E 4500/6000 truck with alloy tray fitted.

Other standard features on the new Chinese workhorse include driver and passenger airbags, a reverse camera and parking sensor, cruise control, central locking, smart phone mirroring, multi-function steering wheel and an LCD instrument panel.