South African motorists are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting a new car, as there are at least 46 different brands currently in operation within our borders.
This number has grown substantially in recent years, with nameplates like Chery and Proton re-establishing themselves here after an extended hiatus away from the local market.
This year in particular has been a big extension for South Africa’s automotive family, as three different brands have set up shop since January 2023.
The three badges in question are Omoda, BYD, and Maxus Electric Vehicles, all of which hail from China, showing the BRICS member’s growing commitment to establishing itself on South African shores.
BYD
BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, is China’s largest electric-car brand and is Tesla’s biggest rival in the international electric-vehicle (EV) scene,
It arrived in South Africa this June and is currently offering a single crossover in the form of the Atto 3, which now holds two accolades as the country’s cheapest electric SUV and the second-cheapest EV overall behind the GWM Ora – another Chinese vehicle.
The company has not yet revealed any plans for the upcoming year, but given how little competition there is in South Africa’s EV space at the moment, BYD is primed to become a major player in the coming years.
Maxus Electric Vehicles
Maxus Electric Vehicles functions as the local distributor of the Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC) – the largest car manufacturer in China.
Making its debut in September, Maxus currently provides three vehicles, the eDeliver 3 Panel Van and Chassis Cab, and the T90 EV double cab.
Its launch strategy is centered around the commercial hub of Gauteng but plans to eventually branch out to Cape Town, Durban, and other metropolitan areas.
Omoda
Omoda is a subsidiary of Chery that launched in South Africa in April this year with its first vehicle, the C5 crossover, which was recently followed up with a new limited-edition GT version.
It is one of two nameplates that parent company Chery refers to as the “O&J” brand alongside its counterpart Jaecoo, which will be making its own debut here in 2024.
O&J effectively functions as luxury sub-divisions of Chery in a manner similar to the relationship between Toyota and Lexus, with Omoda concentrating on high-tech crossovers while Jaecoo is taking aim at the high-rolling SUV space with the J7.
For now, Omoda only has the C5 but is planning to introduce the flagship C9 in 2024, and has even hinted at the prospect of a battery-electric version of the C5 eventually finding its way to local showrooms.
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