Online ReporterThe entry of Chinese motor manufacturers into the South African market in recent years has been nothing short of 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 both the GWM and Haval brands — was sixth, with Chery Auto in eighth place. Omoda and Jaecoo are in 14th, while Jetour is 15th. 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 percent of all vehicles sold in the country. This includes passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), minibus taxis, as well as trucks and buses.
Measured on only passenger cars and LCVs, these four manufacturers now account for 13 percent of local vehicle sales. Add in JAC and Baic (each selling around 200 units a month), and this increases further.
Together, these four Chinese manufacturers sold over 6 000 units locally in June and July. A year ago, this was around the 3000-unit level. Data for Omoda, Jaecoo and Jetour was only available from December, as this is when the latter three brands entered Naamsa’s top 15 (at 655 for Omoda and Jaecoo and 420 for Jetour).
Prior to that (and since their entry), these makers would’ve been selling a few hundred vehicles a month.
Manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis (which owns Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot) have both fallen out of the top 15 over the last year. These manufacturers are currently each selling between 400 and 600-ish vehicles a month. In the case of Stellantis, this is across all its brands in the country. Merc has been in the top 15 consistently until about a year ago.
Three years ago, it was selling closer to 1 000 units a month. Jaguar Land Rover and Mazda are also solidly outside of the top 15 (each also selling around 200 units monthly), while Mitsubishi and Honda each sell around 150.— Moneyweb
