Chery Group will begin South African vehicle production with the Omoda C4 crossover SUV, with commercial sales due to start next year.

According to a Reuters report, the Chinese manufacturer will produce the compact model as its debut vehicle at the Rosslyn site near Pretoria, a facility Chery purchased from Nissan earlier this year.

Aimed at younger buyers, the Omoda C4 will be available with petrol, hybrid, and battery-electric powertrains.

Chery intends to add further models at the plant over time, including sports utility vehicles from Jetour’s T series.

The Omoda C4 launch will give Chery its first manufacturing base in South Africa before its planned 2027 production targets.

Output is expected to total 15,000 units during the third and fourth quarters of 2027 in the initial ramp-up period, before reaching an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles.

Assembly at Rosslyn will operate alongside a localisation programme intended to develop South African automotive suppliers and raise the share of locally sourced components.

The programme aligns with national industrial initiatives intended to increase domestic manufacturing capacity.

Chery also said it plans to position South Africa as its continental hub for manufacturing, exports, and research and development.

The project is part of an accelerated overseas expansion by Chinese original equipment manufacturers amid intensified competition in their domestic market and slowing growth in China.

South Africa is Africa’s second-largest vehicle manufacturing hub and is a key target for Chinese brands seeking market share.

BAIC already operates an assembly and manufacturing plant in the country, while GWM is considering either buying an existing facility or pursuing a production-sharing arrangement with another manufacturer.

In another market development, Chery UK unveiled plans last month to launch four new and updated models over the next 12 months as part of its growth strategy.