3 Chinese car brands grew over 2,000% in South Africa in 1 year
There is no doubt that Chinese brands are growing from strength to strength in South Africa, especially when looking at their new sales figures, but it is in the used market where three brands are showing their strength.
While Chinese brands saw an overall used sales increase of 49% year-on-year, MG, Jetour, and GAC outshone their rivals in terms of growth.
According to AutoTrader’s 2025 Industry Report, the local automotive market reached an inflexion point last year, as Chinese brands accelerated their disruption of the established hierarchies.
AutoTrader reports that this coincided with South African consumers demonstrating greater sophistication in purchasing decisions.
“The modern South African car buyer has evolved into a value maximiser—demanding exceptional technology, comfort, and aesthetics at accessible price points, fundamentally rewriting the rules of automotive retail success,” says AutoTrader.
Amongst all the brands in South Africa in 2025, Chinese brands grew notably, gaining major market share and challenging not only other Chinese brands, but also their established competitors.
Searches on AutoTrader for Chinese vehicles surged by 48%, led by brands such as LDV, MG, GAC, BYD, and Jetour, which all saw increased interest.
Advert views for Chinese brands increased by 86% last year, while enquiries rose by 74%.
Internal combustion (ICE) vehicles from China saw increased sales of 49%, while hybrid sales also rose 20%.
“Affordability now defines consumer aspiration, and the price-to-value delta shift is real,” notes AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.
“This is very evident with Chinese manufacturers who capitalised on the perceived price-to-value delta.”
He added that these new-era Chinese brands are not here to compete on heritage, but rather on value.
“They are competing by aligning perceived value and specification depth to pricing. The South African buyer is responding accordingly,” Mienie says.
Remarkable sales growth
Chinese badges saw a surge in popularity in 2025, recording growth in the number of searches, views, enquiries, and sales across nearly every brand.
LDV saw the biggest increase in searches for its bakkie and SUV offering, climbing 1,824% year-on-year, while MG saw the greatest climb in yearly views, improving 1,504%.
Enquiries for notable new energy vehicle (NEV) builder BYD surged 1,184% in 2025, driving the steep acceleration of the used NEV market.
Below is a breakdown of each brand reported on by AutoTrader.
| Brands | YoY Search | YoY Views | YoY Enquiries | YoY Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWM | 48% | 68% | 53% | 21% |
| Haval | 17% | 56% | 40% | 25% |
| JAC | -70% | 54% | 88% | 51% |
| Chery | 11% | 43% | 52% | 61% |
| BAIC | 47% | 38% | 65% | 73% |
| OMODA | 58% | 100% | 131% | 80% |
| LDV | 1,824% | 76% | 185% | 230% |
| Jaecoo | 94% | 90% | 190% | 239% |
| BYD | 210% | 597% | 1,184% | 653% |
| MG | 561% | 1,504% | 681% | 2,750% |
| Jetour | 161% | 488% | 1,044% | 3,456% |
| GAC | 370% | 501% | 913% | 4,275% |
Incredibly, MG, Jetour, and GAC’s sales figures grew by over 2,000%, outperforming not only legacy brands but also every other Chinese manufacturer.
Notably, all three brands have relatively limited stables, but clearly offer what it is South Africans are looking for.
These brands also symbolise precisely what Mienie and AutoTrader observed about Chinese brands, offering local buyers technology, comfort, and aesthetics at accessible price points.
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