Online Reporter
JOHANNESBURG. — Chinese automotive brands are rapidly strengthening their foothold in South Africa’s pre-owned vehicle market, with new data revealing a notable shift in the competitive landscape during the first quarter of 2026.
According to AutoTrader, year-on-year sales comparisons indicate that this growth is driven by competitive pricing, modern design, and feature-rich offerings that appeal to cost-conscious consumers.
In Q1 2025, Haval sold 151 units of its Jolion 1.5T Super Luxury variant. It was followed by the H2 1.5T Luxury Auto and H6 GT 2.0T 4WD Super Luxury, underscoring Haval’s early dominance in the segment.
By Q1 2026, Chery had overtaken its domestic rival Haval. The Tiggo 4 Pro range claimed the top three positions, led by the 1.5 LiT manual variant with 215 units sold. This was followed closely by the 1.5 LiT Auto (212 units) and the 1.5T Elite Auto (164 units). This marks a sharp rise from Q1 2025, when the highest-ranking Tiggo 4 Pro variant placed sixth, highlighting the model’s accelerating popularity.
Industry analysts attribute Chery’s ascent in the used car segment to its aggressive expansion in the new vehicle market in recent years. Strong new car sales have effectively “fed” the used vehicle pipeline, with the Tiggo 4 Pro emerging as a cornerstone model.
Despite losing the top spot, Haval remains highly competitive. Its Jolion 1.5T City Plus and 1.5T Super Luxury variants ranked fourth and fifth with 147 and 144 units sold, respectively. — Xinhua
Peter Tanyanyiwa