Omoda has emerged as one of the fastest-growing car brands in South Africa, selling thousands of units every month.
The Chinese carmaker made its local debut in April 2023, with an initial dealer network of 30 outlets and a single model called the C5.
In the three years since, it has grown to become the nation’s 14th best-selling car brand, outperforming legacy nameplates like Renault, Opel, and Honda.
“As the brand’s first market on the continent, South Africa has played a central role in Omoda’s expansion, with the local lineup growing from a single model and a 30-dealer network to 61 dealerships spread across the country,” said the company.
The automaker’s catalogue has also grown from one to three units, with the C9 and C7 joining the lineup in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
However, the C5 continues to serve as the bedrock of the company’s local business model.
Since its debut, the crossover has sold an impressive 15,219 units in South Africa, working out to an average of 5,073 units per year.
Omoda noted that the C5 was instrumental in establishing national awareness of the brand, and that the feedback it has received on that model influenced its later decisions.
“Customer feedback has played an important role in the evolution of the range, culminating in the introduction of the C5 X Series, which brought with it a DCT transmission, improved performance, upgraded interior materials, increased boot space, and better fuel efficiency, amongst other things.”
The C7 and C9 have been well received, paving the way for Omoda’s SHS (Super Hybrid System) models.
The carmaker now offers hybrid versions of all three of its cars, with the C5 featuring a newly added HEV model, while the C7 and C9 both have plug-in hybrid powertrains.
What’s next for Omoda
Omoda has confirmed that it will bring its newest car, the C4, to South Africa later this year.
As the name implies, the C4 is the smallest car the company has produced to date, and it is expected to slot in as the brand’s new entry-level model below the C5 once it goes on sale.
Originally called the C3, the automaker later changed the name in response to early feedback from testers, who argued that “4” was more reflective of its market positioning.
Many of the C4’s details are still under wraps, but we do know that it will be offered with both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid powertrain.
While you may assume that the C4 will receive a less powerful engine than the C5, this won’t be the case, as an Omoda representative previously told TopAuto that the brand hasn’t considered an engine below the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol block used by the C5.
Assuming it ends up with the same drivetrain, the C4 will have an output of 115kW and 230Nm.
Likewise, the hybrid will presumably be the C5 HEV’s 1.5-litre block with 165kW and 295Nm.
As for its design, the crossover is meant to appeal to younger audiences with a body shape and interior inspired by “Mecha” – the genre of East Asian animation centred around giant robots.
The sci-fi theme is evident when you open the doors, as it has a floating portrait infotainment screen, a digital driver display, and a centre console with two wireless charging pads, and polygonal cupholders.
It also has a faux carbon fibre control panel with a red switch cover that you flip open to access the keyless start button.
Pricing is still unknown, but considering that the C5 starts at R339,900, we’re curious to see whether Omoda can crack the sub-R300,000 market when the C4 arrives in South Africa.
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