Chery Auto has formally inaugurated its new South African assembly operation in Rosslyn, Gauteng.

The move follows Chery’s acquisition of Nissan South Africa’s former assembly plant after the Japanese carmaker ended local manufacturing in May.

The Chinese automaker held the inauguration on Friday, 3 July.

Chery plans to start local production from mid-2027 after refurbishing the plant.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and senior Chery executives attended the event.

Chery Auto chairman Yin Tongyue, vice-president Charlie Zhang and Chery South Africa CEO Tony Liu were also present.

Models under consideration

Chery did not officially reveal all the vehicles it plans to build at the plant.

However, Omoda & Jaecoo confirmed separately that the Jaecoo J5 will be among the models assembled locally.

A Chery representative also confirmed that the closely related Lepas L4 and Chery Tiggo Cross will be built alongside the J5.

Jetour has also said its T-Series SUV is in the running for local production.

A Chery representative told IOL that the production version of the KP31 bakkie is also under strong consideration.

The KP31 is described as the world’s first bakkie with a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Jobs and production targets

Chery Auto South Africa is aiming to produce 50 000 units a year by the 2028 financial year.

The plant’s acquisition recently received approval from the Competition Commission.

The Rosslyn facility previously produced Nissan Navara bakkies for South Africa and other African markets, but had been operating at low capacity.

Chery said it plans to upgrade the plant and equipment to return it to full production capacity.

The company said the investment will directly and indirectly create close to 3 000 jobs through manufacturing, the supply chain and related services.

Chery also said it will retain at least 692 former Nissan employees on similar packages.

Local content in focus

Chery South Africa CEO Tony Liu previously said the company was engaging with local suppliers.

However, he said Chery would initially rely mainly on imported components while building local capacity.

“We will bring our own parts in CKD form, but step by step, we will set up our own supplier base,” Liu said.

The company is targeting 40% local content in the early phase.

Mashatile described the investment as a vote of confidence in South Africa.

He also stressed that localisation is important because it creates stronger job multipliers.

Chery Auto executive vice-president Charlie Zhang said the investment showed the company’s long-term commitment to South Africa’s economic and industrial development.