By Malusi Msomi

OMODA & JAECOO South Africa has confirmed that the JAECOO J5 will be one of the first models produced at Chery Group’s new South African manufacturing plant, following the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the facility.

The compact crossover, which has been on sale locally since September 2025, will be produced in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and new energy vehicle (NEV) derivatives. The move is expected to broaden the range of powertrain options available to South African buyers while strengthening the brand’s local manufacturing footprint.

The J5 has quickly become one of JAECOO’s key products in South Africa, recording 2,630 sales since its local launch. The decision to include it in the plant’s production programme reflects the brand’s confidence in the model’s continued growth and popularity.

While the company has not yet confirmed when local production will begin, the announcement forms part of Chery Group’s wider strategy to establish a manufacturing presence in South Africa and expand its investment in the local automotive industry.

Once production gets underway, the locally built JAECOO J5 is expected to play an important role in OMODA & JAECOO’s South African line-up, offering buyers the choice of both traditional petrol and new energy powertrains.