September's sales figures and two launches at opposite ends of the price range made this a busy week for Chinese brands in South Africa.
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Chinese automakers accounted for nearly 20% of new passenger-car sales in September, according to TransUnion data cited by CAR Magazine. The Chery Tiggo 4/Cross led the Chinese brands with 2,251 sales from R279,900, and was the fourth best-selling passenger vehicle in the country overall. The GWM Haval Jolion followed with 1,351 from R348,950, and the Omoda C5 with 936 from R349,900. The Jetour T2 sold 757 from R569,900.
The top three are all priced under R350,000. That is where the volume is.
An electric hatch under R350,000
Chery launched the Q electric hatchback from R349,900 for the Comfort and R389,900 for the Elite. Both have a rear-mounted 90 kW motor and a 42.7 kWh battery, with a claimed range of up to 400 km. It is positioned against the BYD Dolphin Surf and Geely E2. See Chery.
Plug-in bakkies
GWM added a plug-in hybrid to the P300 double-cab range at R914,900. The price includes a seven-year/200,000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year/150,000 km battery warranty and a seven-year/75,000 km service plan. Combined output is 310 kW and 750 Nm from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and an electric motor, with part-time four-wheel drive. See GWM.
It will have company. Chery's Grootman is due in the first quarter of 2027 with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel, a 34 kWh battery, 350 kW and 800 N.m, and low-range four-wheel drive. Local pricing and the model range are not announced. The comparison places it alongside the BYD Shark 6 and the P300 PHEV: three Chinese plug-in hybrid pickups.
What it means
- Chinese brands' volume here comes from cars under R350,000. The new Chery Q puts an electric option at that same price point.
- The P300 PHEV's price includes long warranties and a service plan; compare it on that basis, not sticker to sticker.
- Anyone considering a plug-in bakkie has a reason to wait for the Grootman's price before deciding. More at Chinese cars in South Africa.