SPARKING COMPETITION

CHINESE BRANDS ARE GAINING MOMENTUM AND IGNITING A NEW ERA IN SOUTH AFRICA'S AUTOMOTIVE LANDSCAPE. WHETHER IT'S A SLEEK NEW SUV ROLLING OFF A CHINESE ASSEMBLY LINE OR A LOCALLY-PRODUCED VEHICLE DESIGNED TO COMPETE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE, THE INDUSTRY IS SPEEDING WITH POTENTIAL AND POSSIBILITIES.

- Edward Moleke Makwana

A few decades ago, South Africa witnessed the rise of Japanese automotive brands like Kia, Hyundai, and Suzuki, which boldly entered the market to challenge well-established mass volume players like Toyota, Volkswagen (VW) and Nissan. Over time, these brands not only carved out significant market shares but also won the hearts of South Africans with their affordability, innovation and reliability. Today, a similar story is unfolding - this time with Chinese automotive brands rapidly making their mark on South Africa and the broader African continent. Brands like Great Wall Motor Company (GWM), Haval and Chery have already secured spots in the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa's (NAAMSA) top 10 sales charts. Meanwhile, newer entrants such as GAC, Jetour, LDV and Dongfeng are aiming to steadily build momentum. With 2025 promising a wave of exciting new launches, these brands are poised to redefine the automotive landscape and spark a new era of competition.

Vision for Growth

Jay Jay Botes, General Manager of Chery South Africa, reveals that the company has ambitious plans to introduce multiple new energy vehicles (NEVS) to the South African market in 2025.

While the idea of establishing local manufacturing facilities is under consideration, Botes emphasizes that Chery is still in the feasibility study phase.

On the other hand, BYD - one of China's largest electric vehicle (EV) producers - is entering the South African market with bold intentions. As BYD celebrates 30 years, the brand is leveraging its expertise in industries like rail transit, renewable energy and electronics to disrupt the automotive industry. Steve Chang, General Manager of BYD South Africa, highlights the company's longterm vision: building trust in a competitive environment by prioritizing customer relationships over short-term profit margins.