on air now
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Jeff Moloi
Walking on the Chinese wall is one thing. Dealing with the influx of their cars in South Africa is another thing altogether. Let’s face it and whichever way one looks at it, the Chinese vehicle imports into the country have met with very good success, so much so that: 1) More Chinese manufacturers are headed our way and 2) our local OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) have started to scratch their heads, if they haven’t already. Competition is good they say as locals benefit on various fronts. You don’t need me to convince you that Chinese brands are making huge inroads, pardon the pun, into SA. Practically every one in 6 vehicles seen on the roads in different parts of Mzansi, is an import from East of Asia. South Africans are taking to vehicles from the third-largest country . There is significant growth in the SA market, with many models becoming increasingly popular. Domestic sales of Chinese vehicles have increased by 645% since 2018 which means that locally produced vehicle sales have dropped significantly.
The top 10 most popular Chinese cars in SA thus far include the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Haval Jolion, and Omoda C5. Several brands, like Chery, Haval, and BYD, have seen substantial sales increases in recent years.
Key Chinese Car Brands in South Africa:
Chery: Known for its Tiggo SUVs, with the Tiggo 4 Pro being a top seller.
Haval: A popular brand within the Great Wall Motors group, known for SUVs like the Jolion and H6.
BYD: Expanding its presence with a range of electric vehicles, including the ATTO 3, Dolphin, and SEAL. It is rumoured that BYD will put paid to Tesla with their own full electric vehicle set to be far better on several fronts than the Tesla.
Omoda: Offering stylish and technologically advanced vehicles, like the C5.
Jetour: A relatively new entrant, known for models like the Dashing and X70 Plus.
BAIC: Has models like the Beijing X55 and the B40 SUV.
Foton: Focuses on commercial vehicles, including trucks and bakkies.
JAC: Also known for commercial vehicles and has a presence in the bakkie market.
GAC: Distributed by Salvador Caetano, known for models like the Emzoom.
Jaecoo: A brand within the Chery group, offering premium SUVs like the J7.
LDV: Part of SAIC and competes in the bakkie market.
Great Wall Motors (GWM): Includes brands like Haval and Tank, offering a range of SUVs and bakkies.
Dongfeng: Entered the South African market in 2025 with the all-electric Box.
Dayun: Focuses on urban electric mobility solutions.
Factors Contributing to Chinese Car Popularity:
Affordability:
Many Chinese car brands offer competitive pricing compared to established European and Japanese brands.
Guarantees and Waranties:
Appears to be more than appealing as some, if not most Chinese Manufacturers offering unlimited kilometre lifetime warranties
Technology:
Chinese car manufacturers are investing heavily in advanced technology, including electric vehicles and driver-assistance features.
Design:
Some Chinese brands, like Omoda and Jaecoo, are known for their stylish and modern designs.
Growing Market:
South Africa is experiencing a surge in Chinese car sales, with several brands expanding their offerings.
The Plan to counter the influx
That plan must include a decrease in the prices of the already established brands in SA. And we have seen that happening in certain brands like BMW, Audi and Mercedes, all German brands. Other brands that will, in my opinion, be forced to follow suite must include Toyota, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and a few others. Some well-known brands are closing down some of their dealerships to cut down on overall costs to keep process down. So, addressing affordability is key.
Other plans must evolve around incentivising local contact through tax breaks or subsidies for local manufacturers who invest in localization that assists with job creation and ultimately the economy. This will involve successful coloration with Government. Our Electric Vehicle infrastructure, whilst improving, needs to get a few thousand volts in the arm. Fair competition, increased import tariffs should also be in the bigger plan.
The SA vehicle industry is facing a major challenge due to the rise and rise of Chinese vehicle imports in the local market. CEO’s in general have raised concerns about the impact this trend is having on local manufacturers, warning that it threatens to disrupting the industry’s stability and growth. Affordability over brand loyalty seems the key factor to encounter. ‘China in your hand’ or are we in Chinese hands?
