Chinese vehicle brand DFAC Trucks has become the latest player to enter Australia’s commercial vehicle market, opening sales of its new light truck in the country.
Distributed as part of the KRW Motor Group, DFAC’s origins date back to 1969 and boasts 1.2 million vehicles sold in over 100 countries across the globe, making it the second largest truck manufacturer in China.
The KRW Motor Group is an Australian owned and operated company specialising in the importation of and distribution of light to medium duty trucks and buses that also includes EV and hydrogen, with the DFAC Captain 45 model now available.
The 4.5-tonne car licence model with Alloy Tray fitted is hitting the market with an introductory offer of $59,990 driveway and backed by a seven-year, 250,000km warranty.
Powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel Cummins engine, the DFAC Captain 45 is power-rated at 121 kW with maximum torque of 400 Nm.
Able to be driven on a car licence, the Captain 45’s GVM of 4.5 tonnes (upgraded to six-tonne on a LR licence) and wheelbase of 3,300mm sits in a popular segment for owner/operators through to fleet operators.
On top of its 4.5-tonne GVM, the all-new DFAC Captain 45 range has a tow rating of 3.5 tonnes, ensuring that trades people and large fleets can use the vehicle for a variety of applications.
First announced by KRW as a new player in the Australian market at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, the Australian distributor’s CEO and founder Neil Wang is confident the DFAC Captain 45 is the right truck to mark the brand’s arrival on local shores.
“KRW has been working closely with DFAC to ensure the truck is right for the Australia market both from a technical standpoint, but also from a sales and aftersales perspective,” he says.
“DFAC engineers from China along with our own local technical experts have been testing and evaluating pre-production models in the Australian environment, including roads and climatic conditions, both from a performance perspective as well as a focus on the operator in terms of safety and comfort.
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“The result is a vehicle we are confident will prove to be a strong contender in the Australian market.”
DFAC has a number of key OEM partnerships including DANA for axles and drivetrain and the six-speed AMT transmission from FAST.
All ADR requirements are met, including lane departure warning, AEBS system, pedestrian and cyclist detection as standard and meet Cabin Strength Certification (ECE-R29).
Other standard safety features include driver and passenger airbags, high-resolution reverse camera and parking sensor, adaptive cruise control, smart phone mirroring, multi-function steering wheel, LCD instrument panel and a large-scale 13” infotainment screen.
“All the OEM partners associated with DFAC are not just well-known, they are respected for their quality and ongoing innovation,” Wang says.
“It is not an off-the-shelf truck – it has been specified for the Australian market with DFAC bringing together its own team and key OEM partners to ensure design and ingenuity.
“The Australian market is very competitive with one in every three vehicles over 3.5 tonnes sold in the light truck segment. KRW feels the Captain 45 and the upcoming DFAC models will offer a compelling choice for the local truck operator.”
Despite being classified as a light truck, the Captain features a driver’s seat rated to 140kg and longer seat runners to accompany Australian drivers with longer limbs.
The cabin appointments are highlighted by the 13-inch infotainment screen, which is a nod to the immediate familiarity to driving a passenger car.
“This is part of a suite of standard specifications that owners of DFAC Trucks will enjoy and adds value to their operations,” Wang says.
“We have, and will continue to build, a trusted dealer network, 24-hour roadside assistance, a range of accessories that are aimed at the local market and a customer-focused finance offer that is sure to be an attraction.”
To complement the needs of the Australian customer and underline its commitment to standing out from the opposition DFAC is offering its models in a range of colours, from snowy wight, onyx black and flame red to wattle yellow, ironbark grey and reef blue.
“The offering of the variety of colours is a clear attraction to a range of segments including and not just small businesses, but also fleet and logistics, government & councils, and hire and rental,” Wang says.
“This all underpins that DFAC, through the KRW Motor Group, has come to Australia very well prepared. It is smart planning and execution, now we want customers to make that same smart choice.”
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