Best-selling Chinese cars in South Africa

Last month was another strong showing for new vehicle sales in South Africa, with 47,979 units sold, including many from Chinese manufacturers.

This represents a 5,512-unit or 13.0% year-on-year increase, making it the best April sales performance since 2013.

Chinese badges are becoming increasingly popular in South Africa, climbing the sales rankings as buyers look towards well-equipped, affordable alternatives to expensive legacy offerings.

This is evident in Naamsa sales figures, compiled by The Citizen, which show no fewer than four Chinese manufacturers in the top 10, with a fifth, BYD, overtaking compatriots MG, but narrowly missing out of the top 15.

GWM was once again the top-selling Chinese carmaker in South Africa last month, recording 2,485 sales and climbing up to sixth in the overall rankings.

Hot on its heels was Chery, which claimed seventh place on the overall rankings with 2,462 units sold – only 23 fewer than GWM.

Two more Chinese manufacturers managed to make it into the top ten, with Jetour in eighth and Omoda & Jaecoo in ninth, selling 1,804 and 1,383 units respectively.

As such, established brands like Isuzu, Kia, Renault, and Mahindra had to make peace with spots outside April’s top ten.

In its second month of reporting sales figures to Naamsa, BYD managed to usurp MG from the Chinese top five, claiming 16th place overall with 705 units sold compared to the latter’s 526.

Overall, the new passenger car market recorded 34,414 units sold in April, marking a year-on-year increase of 14.3%, while light commercial vehicle sales increased 9.7%, from 9,993 units to 10,966.

Naamsa attributed April’s performance to the momentum built over the preceding months, supported by improved financing conditions and firmer sentiment.

It did warn that these may be countered by higher energy prices, looming rising inflation expectations, and a reversal in the interest rate outlook.

The best-selling Chinese cars in April

Chinese car brands have overtaken several established manufacturers in their climb to the top of South Africa’s sales figures, and look like they will be a mainstay in the country for years to come.

Below is a list of the ten best-selling Chinese cars in South Africa last month. Click on their prices for more details about each model.

1. Chery Tiggo 4 – 1,871 units

• Starting price – R269,900

2. Haval Jolion – 1,277 units

• Starting price – R348,950

3. Jetour T2 – 1,004 units

• Starting price – R569,900

4. Omoda C5 – 884 units

• Starting price – R339,900

5. GWM P-Series – 588

• Starting price – R414,950

6. Chery Tiggo 7 – 425 units

• Starting price – R389,900

7. Haval H6 – 413 units

• Starting price – R495,500

8. Jetour Dashing – 305 units

• Starting price – R439,900

9. BYD Dolphin Surf – 302 units

• Starting price – R341,900

10. Jetour T1 – 299 units

• Starting price – R514,900