A new Chinese car brand known as Changan is launching in South Africa later this month.
The company revealed that its first shipment of vehicles touched down on local soil in the Port of Durban last week, marking the start of its ambitious plans for our market.
Changan announced its intention to launch in South Africa back in March, stating that it had signed an agreement with Jameel Motors, a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian company Adbul Latif Jameel, to act as the local distributor for Changan and Deepal vehicles.
Deepal is the automaker’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) sub-brand, which is set to debut alongside Changan over the coming weeks.
“This inaugural shipment marks an exciting new chapter for Jameel Motors South Africa and the Changan brand, which is set to launch nationally, later in the month,” said the carmaker.
“The arrival of these vehicles represents more than just the start of local distribution – it signals Changan’s commitment to establishing a long-term presence built on trust, innovation and customer-focused service.”
3 new cars – with more on the way
Changan confirmed that its first vehicle shipment included three different cars – the Changan Alsvin and CS75 Pro, and the Deepal S07.
Crucial details like the vehicles’ pricing and model selection will only be disclosed at launch, but to give you a brief idea of what’s in store, the three above-mentioned cars include a sedan and two SUVs.
The Alsvin will undoubtedly function as the entry point to the brand, as it is a B-segment sedan primarily manufactured for markets in the Middle East.
The current-generation units have been around since 2017 and feature a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with 78kW.
It’s worth bearing in mind that there are only eight sedans in South Africa that still retail for less than R500,000, so the Alsvin will be a notable entry in a shrinking segment.
Next up is the Changan CS75 Pro, which is a midsize SUV comparable in size to something like the VW Tiguan.
The Pro models are actually the lower-spec entry-level units, which suggests that the company’s plan is to compete on the more affordable end of the segment.
That being said, it still has a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a healthy 141kW and 310Nm, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
It’s possible that the CS75 may compete with other Chinese SUVs like the R469,900 Jetour Dashing, but we’ll only know for sure once it goes on sale.
Last but not least is the Deepal S07, which in stark contrast to the other two vehicles, is an upmarket NEV.
In China, the S07 is sold as both an electric vehicle (EV) and a range-extender hybrid, but the company has yet to reveal if we will receive both.
For reference, the EV has a rear-mounted electric motor with 160kW and 320Nm, which is powered by an 80kWh battery good for 650km.
The hybrid, meanwhile, uses a 1.5-litre engine as a generator to power a 177kW e-motor and a 39kWh battery, which gives it an impressive range of 1,200km.
Changan also has other products lined up for our market, though it has yet to provide any names.
“This shipment sets the tone for what lies ahead: a steady rollout of Changan’s diverse product range across the country, with new and exciting models planned to join the lineup in 2026,” it said.
One vehicle that is all but confirmed is a double-cab bakkie called the Changan Hunter, a model South Africans are familiar with, even if they don’t realise it.
This is because the Hunter is actually built on the same platform as the Peugeot Landtrek, as the two vehicles were jointly developed by Changan and Stellantis.
It’s fair to assume, then, that the Hunter will feature the same 1.9-litre turbo-diesel plant with 110kW and 350Nm, but the Chinese pickup is also sold with other powertrains in its home country, including a range-extender hybrid option.
Changan vehicles arrive in Durban
Loading ...
