Chinese automotive marques Omoda and Jaecoo, under the Chery umbrella, are gaining remarkable traction in the South African market, with third-quarter sales climbing 50% year-on-year and positioning the brands to exceed 11,000 units by the close of 2025. This robust performance, driven by nearly 2,500 vehicles delivered in the recent period—a 26% increase from the prior quarter—highlights the appeal of their affordable yet technologically advanced SUVs amid shifting consumer preferences. As reported by Cars.co.za, the brands’ lineup, including the popular Omoda C5 and Jaecoo J7, continues to resonate with local drivers seeking value without compromising on features like advanced driver assistance systems and hybrid powertrains.
The momentum builds on earlier successes, with Omoda and Jaecoo shattering monthly records throughout the year. In July 2025 alone, combined sales reached 1,069 units, marking the highest figure since their 2023 market entry, followed by a strong August where four Chinese brands, including these two, posted fresh highs. According to TechFinancials, the Omoda C5 led the charge with 813 deliveries in July, bolstered by its sleek design and competitive pricing starting below R400,000, while the Jaecoo J7 contributed 170 units, appealing to adventure-oriented buyers with its rugged capabilities and plug-in hybrid option offering up to 90 km of electric-only range. This growth aligns with broader trends, as Chinese brands collectively captured 15% of the SUV segment from January to August 2025, up from negligible shares five years prior, per South China Morning Post.
Chery International anticipates further acceleration as new models bolster the portfolio, including the upcoming Jaecoo J5 crossover and electrified variants like the Omoda C9 plug-in hybrid, which boasts a 150 km electric range and a total of 1,100 km on a full charge. These additions underscore the brands’ commitment to new energy vehicles, with a 370% quarter-on-quarter surge in NEV sales recorded in the first quarter of 2025, as detailed in Jaecoo.co.za. Globally, Omoda and Jaecoo have surpassed 600,000 units sold since launch, with South Africa emerging as a key growth hub due to its demand for versatile, tech-forward vehicles suited to diverse terrains.
This domestic upswing mirrors the transformative impact of Chinese and Indian imports on South Africa’s automotive retail landscape. Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), which manages over 100 dealerships nationwide, revealed that nearly half of its new-vehicle sales now stem from these Asian marques, displacing established players like Nissan, Ford, and Volvo. The shift towards more budget-friendly options propelled CMH’s motor retail and distribution arm to more than double its pretax profit in the six months to August 2025, despite an 18% dip in overall operating profit to R639.54 million, attributed to pricing pressures, according to MyBroadband. CMH’s parts division, via Mandarin Parts Distributors, has seen a 20% profit increase, capitalising on the influx of Chinese models requiring specialised components.
In contrast, Motus—South Africa’s largest non-manufacturing automotive group with more than 300 outlets—acknowledged its initial caution in embracing these brands, a stance that delayed adaptation to cash-constrained buyers. As noted in BusinessLive, Motus is now accelerating partnerships, with Chinese models turning profitable in its network and contributing to a rebound in new and used vehicle sales for the past financial year. The group’s interim results highlighted a 3.2% revenue uptick, though margins remain squeezed by aggressive discounting in response to Asian competition. This evolution reflects a market-wide pivot, where consumers are increasingly opting for vehicles under R500,000—66.3% of 2023 sales—favouring Chinese offerings with premium features at entry-level prices, per Forbes Africa.
Financing institutions are aligning with the trend, as evidenced by FNB’s CEO highlighting the rapid ingress of brands like Haval, Omoda, Chery, and BAIC, which now dot South African roads. WesBank, where FNB clients comprise 60% of the loan book, has forged alliances with multiple suppliers, fuelling advance growth through tailored deals. According to Reuters, these partnerships have eased access for budget buyers, with Chinese vehicles comprising less than 10% of Standard Bank’s retail financing yet showing remarkable year-on-year gains. Vehicles like the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, the top-selling Chinese model with 3,371 units in Q1 2025, exemplify this, outpacing legacy rivals and securing spots in the overall top 50, as per Imotonews.co.za.
Omoda and Jaecoo’s local general manager expressed optimism, noting that optimising stock levels and year-end promotions will sustain the trajectory amid fluctuating demand. The brands’ emphasis on design, innovation, and affordability—key priorities for South African motorists—positions them strongly, especially as Chinese OEMs overall boosted volumes by 86% year-to-date, claiming 15% market share and challenging Toyota and Suzuki’s dominance, according to S&P Global Mobility. With 13 Chinese brands active and seven more slated for entry, the sector’s fragmentation could intensify, yet it promises innovation through enhanced local assembly and EV incentives.
On the international front, Chery is replicating this formula in Europe, set to debut Omoda and Jaecoo in Germany at the IAA Mobility 2025 in October, targeting urban and adventure segments with electrified models like the Omoda 5 BEV and Jaecoo 7 plug-in hybrid. As covered by Automotive News Europe, the launch will span 40 dealerships, marking the ninth European market for the duo and aiming for 1.4 million global annual sales by 2030. This expansion, blending combustion, hybrid, and electric options starting at €30,000, signals Chery’s confidence in undercutting incumbents while building trust through localised services—lessons honed in South Africa’s competitive arena.
As South Africa’s new-car market grapples with economic headwinds, the ascent of Omoda and Jaecoo exemplifies a broader realignment, where affordability meets aspiration. With projections for 12% to 15% sector growth in 2026 driven by NEVs, these brands are not merely disrupting but reshaping mobility for a price-sensitive populace, fostering a more dynamic and inclusive landscape.