Meet the New Kids on the Block: Chinese Car Brands Making Waves in South Africa

Remember when "Made in China" meant budget gadgets and knock-off sneakers? Well, times have changed — especially on our roads. These days, Chinese car brands are no longer the underdogs; they're the up-and-coming contenders, offering stylish designs, tech-savvy features, and prices that make your wallet breathe a sigh of relief.

The luxury car market in South Africa is feeling the pinch. With stretched budgets and rising living costs, many drivers still want a good-looking, well-specced car, just not with the premium price tag. And so, a shift is happening: motorists are starting to look beyond familiar badges like VW, Audi and Toyota, and giving newer, lesser-known Chinese brands a shot.

You’ve probably seen some of them already — Chery, Haval, maybe even Omoda — and wondered what they’re all about. Let's take a spin through the Chinese car brands turning heads in Mzansi.

Chery: Back with a Plan

Chery isn't exactly new to South Africa; it first entered the market over a decade ago but made a strategic comeback in 2021. This time, the focus is on improved build quality, an SUV-centric lineup, and competitive features.​

The Tiggo range (notably the Tiggo 4 Pro, 7 Pro, and 8 Pro) has garnered attention for offering value-packed options for families and first-time buyers. In 2023, Chery became South Africa's second-largest SUV brand, doubling its sales from the previous year and selling a total of 16,110 vehicles. The Tiggo 4 Pro alone accounted for 9,916 units, making it one of the country's best-selling passenger vehicles.

What they’re known for: Competitive pricing, SUV range, strong post-sale support.

Interesting stat: By 2023, Chery was South Africa’s second-largest SUV brand.

Haval: The SUV-only Strategy

If you’ve seen a Haval Jolion or H6 and thought “that’s a nice-looking SUV”, you’re not alone. Haval (part of Great Wall Motors) is all-in on the SUV category. No hatchbacks. No sedans. Just SUVs, with plenty of trim levels and a lot of tech packed in.

Haval’s strategy is pretty straightforward: offer bold design, hybrid options, and loads of spec at a mid-market price. And it's working, especially with buyers looking to avoid the premium SUV price tags.

What they’re known for: SUV-only lineup, modern styling, bang-for-buck value.

Notable model: Haval Jolion, one of the most visible new crossovers on SA roads.

Omoda: Style First with a Side of Tech

Omoda is technically a sub-brand of Chery, but it’s doing its own thing entirely. Think of it as the trendy cousin in the family — sleeker lines, futuristic interiors, and a lot of focus on design and tech. The Omoda 5 is their flagship model and it’s not shy about wanting to stand out.

It’s early days for Omoda in SA, but the intent is clear: target younger, design-conscious drivers who want the vibe of a premium car, without the price tag.

What they’re known for: Futuristic design, high-tech interiors, appeal to younger buyers.

Watch this space: Expect more models and possibly EVs under the Omoda badge.

Jetour: Built for Road Trips and Roominess

Jetour is yet another Chery spin-off (clearly Chery likes variety). The clue is in the tour part of the name: these cars are practical, mid-size SUVs aimed at families or folks who spend a lot of time on the road.

They’re big on space, often come with solid warranties, and offer higher trims without creeping into luxury price territory. Jetour recently launched locally with the X70 Plus and Dashing models, and so far, interest seems to be growing.

What they’re known for: Spacious SUVs, long warranties, practical features over frills.

Good to know: Some models come with a 10-year/1-million km engine warranty.

Jaecoo: The ‘Rugged but Refined’ Newcomer

Jaecoo is one of the newer names on the South African car scene, launched under Chery’s growing umbrella. Its first local model, the Jaecoo J7, arrived in early 2024 and is clearly designed to tap into the SUV market’s sweet spot: something that looks off-road-ready, but is mainly built for city driving.

The design leans into that tough, outdoorsy feel with a big grille and squared-off stance, while the interior keeps things clean and tech-heavy, with a large central screen and minimal buttons. Reviewers have pointed out that it feels more like a soft-roader than a true off-roader, though it does offer all-wheel drive on higher trims and a few drive modes for sand, mud, and snow.

What they’re known for: A rugged design with road-friendly manners, and one of the boldest warranty offers around.

BYD: The Sparky One to Watch

BYD (short for “Build Your Dreams”) has quietly become one of the biggest EV manufacturers in the world — even bigger than Tesla in some markets! Now it’s bringing that electric energy to South Africa, starting with models like the Sealion 6 and Dolphin.

They’re still new here, and pricing puts them more in the premium-EV territory, but their arrival signals a shift: electric cars aren’t just a future thing, they’re officially on our doorstep.

What they’re known for: EV and hybrid tech, global scale, expanding model range.

Coming soon: More fully electric options for SA roads.

TL;DR: There’s a Shift Happening on our Roads

Chinese car brands are gaining traction in our local market by offering alternatives to the usual (increasingly unaffordable) suspects. Some lean into value, others into design, and a few are leading the EV charge. They're not perfect, and time will tell how well they hold up long-term — but they’re definitely worth knowing about.

Quick snapshot:

• Chery – Affordable SUVs with good support
• Haval – SUV-only lineup, big on features
• Omoda – Design-led, tech-focused cars for younger drivers
• Jetour – Practical, roomy SUVs with long warranties
• Jaecoo – Offroad looks, city-friendly driving
• BYD – Global EV giant now entering SA’s electric market

Not sure which brands are legit, which are new, and which might stick around? That’s fair. But knowing what’s out there is half the battle, especially if you’re planning your next car move.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

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