By Staff Reporter

Chery South Africa has confirmed plans to establish a local manufacturing plant, marking a significant step in the brand’s growth in the country.

The announcement was made at the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg, where Chery outlined its intention to move from being an importer to a local producer.

The facility will be based in Rosslyn, Pretoria, at an existing site that will be refurbished and upgraded over the next 12 to 18 months. If all goes to plan, the first locally built Chery vehicles are expected to roll off the production line by mid-2027.

Chery says the move will support job creation, with around 3,000 jobs expected to be created directly and indirectly across manufacturing, supply chains and related services. The company also plans to retain a number of workers from the existing plant to help ensure a smoother transition.

Beyond employment, the shift to local production is expected to strengthen Chery’s position in South Africa. Producing vehicles locally should allow for shorter lead times and more flexibility in responding to market demand, while also opening the door for potential exports into other African markets.

Since re-entering South Africa four years ago, Chery has grown quickly, becoming a regular top-10 seller with around 50,000 units sold annually. The brand has also expanded its footprint to around 150 dealerships nationwide, covering multiple sub-brands including Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas and iCAUR.

This latest move signals a longer-term commitment to the local market, as Chery looks to deepen its presence and play a bigger role in South Africa’s automotive industry.