Affordable new Chinese car brand in South Africa – What’s on offer

Chinese automaker DFSK has partnered up with a locally-owned distributor to provide a variety of affordable models in South Africa.

For now, the company is exclusively focused on light commercial vehicles (LCVs), but there is potential for the carmaker to branch out to the passenger car sector at a later stage.

What’s on offer

DFSK’s presence in South Africa traces back to an arrangement made between JMC, another Chinese auto brand, and a South African company known as WilGin Holdings, based in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

Following a difficult period during the Covid-19 pandemic, JMC decided to sell its South African subsidiary to a locally-owned distributor to manage its assets, house spare parts, and honour the warranties and service plans of previous JMC customers.

WilGin duly took up the responsibilities but didn’t stop there. It has also become the official distributor of DFSK in South Africa with its first products scheduled to arrive about two months from now, according to IOL.

Simply known as the K01S, it is the cheapest commercial bakkie in South Africa with a price tag of R169,900.

As a point of reference, the two-seater Suzuki Super Carry which is the closest comparison to the K01S has an asking price of R182,900.

The DFSK runs on a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 61kW and 112Nm, which connects to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Regarding its proportions, it comes in at 4,435mm long, 1,560mm wide, and 1,830mm tall, with the cargo area measuring 2,700mm by 1,440mm by 370mm.

The wheelbase is 2,515mm long and the load bed is certified to carry 800kg.

The other product pegged for a local introduction is the C35 panel van, which uses a more powerful 1.5-litre plant with 85kW and 148Nm.

It will cost R208,000 and can haul a load of up to 1,970kg.

Other options

DFSK is the parent company of Fengon, which is an automaker specializing in SUVs.

While DFSK has so far given no indication that it plans to introduce this sub-brand in South Africa, it’s worth taking a look to see what this company offers.

In China, its cars are sold under the Fengon nameplate, but these models are rebadged as “Glory” in other markets.

The brand’s primary markets include Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, though it has started to branch out into places like Pakistan and Russia.

It has even expanded to the United Kingdom, meaning that it is now selling to western right-hand-drive markets, which bodes well for a South African debut.

It wouldn’t be unusual either, as several other Chinese companies have set up shop here in the last few years including Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, and LDV.

One of its more popular models is the Fengon (Glory) 580, which is classified as a midsize crossover and has been available since 2016.

The second generation was launched in 2022 with a 1.5-litre engine producing 137kW and 300Nm.

It sports a flashy two-tone red interior and a 12.3-inch dual display and is optionally available with a 2+2+2 six-seater configuration.