By Cale Nuttall
New cars were gleaming under the lights in the Tyger Valley shopping mall this past weekend. Among the car brands on display included Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Suzuki, JAC and undoubtedly the one that stood out the most, Build Your Dreams (BYD). With half the cars on display representing Chinese automakers, it’s a testament to how Chinese car brands are becoming more commonplace on South African Roads. BYD plans to make the Electric Vehicle (EV) available to the average person in South Africa.
Until recently, Chinese cars have been viewed as unsafe and poorly built. In recent years, more of China’s biggest car manufacturers have entered South Africa, each one more impressive than the last. Thus, changing the perspective that consumers have had about Chinese cars for too long.
A shopper in the Tygervalley mall had this to say, “The [Chinese] models looked like very good quality, in my opinion. Very tech savvy and geared towards the more modern individual with all the bells and whistles.”
“There is something for everyone here but the Baic B40 is what stood out for me, it’s [really] the centre of attention here” another shopper added.
Despite car sales being substantially less compared to the same time last year, In June 2024, Chery sold 1,172 Tiggo 4 Pro models according to Times live. Therefore, making it the sixth best-selling car in South Africa last month. This proves that Chinese brands such as Chery and Haval specifically are gaining traction in the South African market and competing with the likes of well-established brands such as Volkswagen, Suzuki, Ford, Toyota and Isuzu.
Chinese cars have managed to appeal to South Africans with their impressive tech features and attractive price tags. Geus, a sales manager for Mekor Motors, emphasized the impact of Chinese car manufacturers on the market, stating, “The Chinese are doing exactly what the Japanese did in the 1960s, bringing you value for money at affordable prices. Bringing you tech, etcetera, etcetera, this is the future.”
BYD has a total of three EV models, of which we have only received the Atto 3 and Dolphin however the Chinese company has done business in South Africa. BYD recently signed a deal with Golden Arrow to supply them with 120 electric buses. In the passenger EV segment, the Dolphin is the latest model to touch South African soil after its quiet launch earlier this year. With a starting price of R539,900 for the Standard spec and R599,900 for the Extended spec. With a futuristic design and an extremely attractive price for the segment, it presents itself as a serious option for buyers looking for a mid-size EV.
The Chinese brands made their presence known on the ground floor of Tyger Valley Mall with the latest models from Baic, JAC, and most notably, BYD. Shoppers were intrigued, looking in awe at the models they had not seen on the roads before. The cars on display provided a glimpse into the future of the automotive industry in South Africa.
South Africans can expect to see an influx of Chinese EVs to be introduced in the following years. We have not seen the end of the Chinese Automakers making their debut in South Africa. Providing affordable cars with impressive features makes Chinese alternatives a very attractive choice for buyers.
South Africans have already established their favourite Internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, ensuring that the Hilux, Ranger and Polo Vivo stay at the top of the most sold list. However, the EV market is hugely untapped in South Africa, mostly because the available EVs are too expensive for the average person to obtain, until now. Chinese car manufacturers are likely taking advantage of this fact by introducing affordable EVs at extremely competitive prices. Watch the space.
Chinese car models are certainly attractive. Thank you for the informative article introducing these brands that I have never heard of.