Omoda to build C4 crossover in South Africa

Chery Group South Africa has confirmed that it plans to produce the all-new Omoda C4 crossover SUV at its recently acquired Rosslyn plant in Pretoria from the third quarter of 2027.

The model will launch early next year as a fully imported model, before the Chinese auto giant starts local production of the vehicle later in the year.

Tony Liu, CEO of Chery Group South Africa, confirmed that the first roll-out plan for Omoda at the Rosslyn plant will be the Omoda C4 hybrid, with petrol and fully electric versions joining the range later.

“The C4 is the latest Omoda on our newest platform. We will also have hybrid and BEV versions, with the BEV version and petrol derivative introduced at a later stage,” explained Liu.

Alan Quinn, Chief Innovation and Product Officer at Cars.co.za, said Chery’s decision to produce the C4 locally marks a key expansion for the brand’s local line-up.

“The Omoda C4 brings Omoda’s newest platform and design language to South Africa, and building it at Rosslyn allows us to offer customers a more accessible, locally assembled product,” he said.

“With hybrid, petrol and electric versions planned, the C4 will give South African buyers greater choice as the market continues to evolve.”

The crossover was initially unveiled as the C3 in April 2025 and renamed C4 for the South African market, slotting in just below the Omoda C5, despite being slightly longer at 4,424mm.

The C4 will also join a growing range of models Chery plans to produce at the Rosslyn plant, which so far includes the Chery Tiggo 4, Jaecoo J5, Jetour T-Series, and the Grootman double-cab bakkie.

“Chery’s shift to local manufacturing represents a major transition from importer to producer in South Africa, with positive implications for local assembly, supplier development and job creation in Gauteng’s automotive sector,” said Cars.co.za.

What to expect

TopAuto had the chance to see the C4 in person on a trip to China with Omoda, Jaecoo, and iCAUR.

We saw the car unveiled at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show and had the opportunity to drive it around a testing track in Chery’s hometown of Wuhu.

The crossover features a “Mecha-inspired” design with sharp body styling and alloy wheels with slim LED headlights and daytime running lights.

At the front, the C4 features an angular grille, which is replaced by a closed-off fascia on the hybrid and electric versions, while at the back, it uses the same “lightning bolt” LED taillights seen on the C7.

The interior features a mix of fabric and artificial leather with red stitching, and the dashboard features a small digital driver display and a floating portrait infotainment system.

In the middle of the centre console, which has a sporty faux carbon fibre finish, is where drivers can find the keyless start button, complete with a flip cap similar to the Lamborghini Urus.

The cabin is spacious, with a decent amount of legroom and headroom, particularly in the back, while the boot is also quite large for a car of this size.

In terms of powertrains, the ICE units feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 115kW and 230Nm, mated to a CVT transmission.

The hybrid models use the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor, increasing the power to 165 kW and 295Nm, while the stats for the BEV models remain unknown as yet.

During the Beijing Auto Show, Chery also announced the performance model called the C4 Ultra, which will be an HEV variant producing 105kW and 215Nm, while the e-motor generates 150kW and 310Nm.

Omoda has yet to reveal the vehicle’s combined figures, but has confirmed the model will receive a rear wing, exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels, a 23-speaker stereo, and launch control.