Rapid rise of Chinese cars

NEW DATA: COUNTRY'S FOUR LARGEST MANUFACTURERS ACCOUNT FOR 10% OF SALES IN SA

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The entry of Chinese motor manufacturers into the South African market in recent years has been astonishing. Data from the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) shows four of these manufacturers are now in the 15 largest brands, when measured by local sales of vehicles.

In July, GWM, which includes the GWM and Haval brands, was sixth, with Chery Auto in eighth place. Omoda and Jaecoo are 14^th, while Jetour is 15^th.

The latter only launched in the country in September 2024 and Jaecoo launched earlier in the year.

Omoda entered the market in April 2023, while Chery, GWM and Haval have been in the country for more than five years.

According to a Moneyweb analysis of Naamsa data, these manufacturers together now comprise more than 10% of all vehicles sold in the country.

This includes passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), minibus taxis as well as trucks and buses.