If you have been sleeping on Chinese cars in South Africa, consider this your wake-up call. On Friday, Chery officially opened the doors to its Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria and with that single moment, one of the fastest-growing automotive groups in the country went from being a vehicle importer to a full-blown local manufacturer. South Africa’s automotive manufacturing story just entered a significant new chapter.
The opening ceremony was no small affair. Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered the keynote address. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi was in the building. Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya showed up. The Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, was there alongside Chery Automobile Chairman Yin Tongyue himself. Roughly 350 guests gathered at Rosslyn to witness a moment that has been years in the making.
The opening marks a fundamental transformation in Chery’s relationship with South Africa, moving from vehicle importer to committed local manufacturer, with production set to commence in mid-2027, an ambition to exceed 100,000 annual vehicle sales in the South African market, and a promise to retain all 692 existing employees while creating nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, supply chain, and services.
Production is set to kick off in mid-2027, with a planned output of 15,000 units during the ramp-up period in the third and fourth quarters of 2027. The long-term ambition? To exceed 100,000 annual vehicle sales in South Africa. That is not a brand testing the waters. That is a brand betting everything on this market.
“At Chery, we live by one philosophy: ‘In Somewhere, For Somewhere, Be Somewhere.’ It means wherever we invest, we commit. We become part of the local economy, part of the community, part of the country’s future. Today proves that commitment. We have moved from being an importer to a manufacturer and from a market participant to a long-term partner in South Africa’s industrial story,” said Yin Tongyue, Chairman, President, and founder of Chery Automobile Co., at the plant launch ceremony.
Taking this as a new starting point, Chery will deepen China‑Africa economic and trade ties through high‑quality capacity cooperation, striving to set a new benchmark for mutually beneficial international industrial cooperation.
Six Brands. One Vision. All Fire.
Here is where it gets really interesting for anyone who loves cars. Chery is not just one brand in South Africa. The group operates six distinct brands in the local market and if you have been paying attention to what is happening on South African roads, you will recognise all of them.
Chery – the OG of the group, in South Africa since 2021 and now the second-largest passenger vehicle brand by sales in the country. The Tiggo 4 Pro was the best-selling passenger vehicle in South Africa in 2025. Not top five. Number one.
OMODA – bold, striking, and built for people who want to make a statement. The C5, C7, and C9 series are already on South African roads, with plug-in hybrid SHS variants available. Over 20,000 units sold cumulatively since the local debut in 2023.
JAECOO – the off-road-inspired, rugged-luxury brand that entered the market in 2024 with the J7, J5, and J7 SHS plug-in hybrid. Equal parts adventure and sophistication.
Jetour – launched in 2024 and already making history. The Jetour T2 became the first Chinese-brand vehicle to win the South African Car of the Year award in May 2026. Read that again. Car. Of. The. Year.
iCAUR – the newest energy vehicle brand in the lineup, launched in 2026 with the all-electric V23. It secured more than 300 orders in its very first month. The future is electric and iCAUR is already in it.
LEPAS – the premium SUV brand, also launched in 2026, offering petrol, hybrid, and all-electric powertrain options for drivers who want the full spectrum of choice at the top end of the market.
Six brands. Covering everything from daily commuters to weekend adventurers, from EV early adopters to premium SUV buyers. There is genuinely something in this lineup for everyone.
More Than Just Cars
What makes Chery different from a brand that simply shows up and sells vehicles is the depth of the commitment being made here.
The company has launched an extensive localisation programme, working with Tier-1 suppliers to achieve localisation targets by 2028. The long-term vision for Rosslyn is to develop it into a full automotive hub – covering research and development, supply chain operations, and skills development that positions South Africa as Chery’s African manufacturing, export, R&D, and operational headquarters.
Beyond the factory floor, Chery has committed USD12 million since 2023 as a global partner of UNICEF, with a key focus on supporting science, technology, and innovation education projects in South Africa. The brand has also announced a joint conservation project with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) focused on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and community livelihoods across South Africa’s priority nature landscapes.
This is a brand that is building schools, protecting ecosystems, creating jobs, and manufacturing cars, all at the same time.
