New-energy vehicles (NEVs) are one of the fastest-growing segments in South Africa’s automotive industry, and it’s being taken over by Chinese brands.
NEVs – a term that refers to both hybrid and battery-electric vehicles – have taken off over the last few years, thanks to an influx of new, relatively affordable models that have helped to bring the technology to new audiences.
The first generation of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa mostly came from premium automakers such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Porsche, which could afford to bring in niche models where high volumes weren’t the priority.
As a result, most early hybrid and electric cars launched in South Africa were locked behind seven-figure price points, such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Porsche Taycan.
However, since 2023, the auto sector has welcomed several new hybrids and EVs that have helped to lower the price floor to the point they are now (relatively) mass market.
The key factor is that the vast majority of these cars are coming from Chinese automakers, as legacy manufacturers like VW, Hyundai, and Ford have been slow to react to the growing segment.
Prices are coming down – Thanks to the Chinese
At the start of 2025, the cheapest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) you could buy in South Africa was the R1,050,000 BMW X1 xDrive30e, but entry prices have since dropped by 52%.
This is thanks to the introduction of models like the BYD Sealion 5 and 6, Omoda C7 SHS, Jaecoo J7 SHS, Chery Tiggo 7 CSH, and Geely E5 EM-i.
These are the starting prices some of the Chinese PHEVs that have launched in South Africa this year:
- Omoda C9 PHEV – R999,900
- BYD Shark 6 – R959,900
- Chery Tiggo 9 CSH – R839,900
- Haval H6 GT PHEV – R799,900
- Chery Tiggo 8 CSH – R729,900
- Jaecoo J7 SHS – R689,900
- Omoda C7 SHS – R689,900
- BYD Sealion 6 – R639,900
- Chery Tiggo 7 CSH – R619,000
- Geely E5 EM-i Aspire – R599,999
- BYD Sealion 5 – R499,900
In the span of a single year, the title of “South Africa’s cheapest PHEV” has changed multiple times, going from the BYD Sealion 6 to the Chery Tiggo 7, the Geely E5 EM-i, and finally the Sealion 5.
It demonstrates a level of competitiveness that no other carmakers are trying to match.
Chinese carmakers are competing amongst themselves
While companies like Hyundai and VW have strong NEV offerings overseas, they have been reluctant to introduce them in South Africa.
Hyundai, in particular, has stated that it has no plans to bring its Ioniq line of electric cars to our market, arguing that the local market is not ready for mass adoption.
On the topic of EVs, they have seen a similar drop in starting prices over the last few years as a result of new Chinese offerings.
At the start of 2023, the ‘most affordable’ EV was the R742,100 Mini Cooper SE, but this title now belongs to the R339,900 BYD Dolphin Surf.
Other Chinese models that have launched in the last two years include the BYD Dolphin, BYD Atto 3, GWM Ora 03, and the Dongfeng Box.
One legacy manufacturer that is giving these cars a run for their money is Volvo, which sells the popular EX30 crossover.
The EX30 was debatably South Africa’s first mass-market EV success story, but it’s possible that BYD is catching up with its much cheaper alternatives.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to know for sure as BYD does not report its sales figures to Naamsa.
Ford makes a plug-in version of the Ranger in South Africa, but it is only sold overseas, leaving the market open for NEV bakkies like the BYD Shark and GWM P500.
As for traditional hybrids (HEVs), the Toyota Corolla Cross still holds a dominant market share, but even this is being challenged by Chinese entries.
Chery launched the Tiggo Cross HEV in June, which is the country’s most affordable hybrid at R439,900.
The Corolla Cross HEV, in contrast, starts at R494,400, which is only R5,000 less than the Sealion 5 PHEV.
Across the board, it shows that Chinese manufacturers are the ones moving the needle with regard to NEV affordability in South Africa, especially since most legacy automakers don’t appear to be willing to compete in the first place.
Loading ...
