Over the last five years, there has been a seismic shift in the South African automotive sector, as Chinese brands have taken hold and usurped market share from traditional legacy brands that had enjoyed a reasonably level playing field. What was initially a trickle has turned into a flood of brands and names, and with so many new players entering, it can be unclear to know who's here and what they sell.
Related: The Chinese car influx: Why are there so many brands entering SA?
While names like Chery and GWM (Haval) are now household staples, several newer players have recently entered or are launching new sub-brands this year to target niche segments like electric vehicles and high-end luxury.
China’s auto regulatory shift: The end of South Africa’s ‘Cheap Import’ era?
First contact
These brands consistently feature in the top 10 best-selling brands monthly lists and have the most extensive dealer networks.
Chery: Continues to dominate with the Tiggo SUV range (4, 7, 8, and the new Tiggo 9) and the Tiggo Cross.
GWM (Great Wall Motors)
Haval: Known for the Jolion and H6 SUVs,
ORA: GWM's EV wing is also still active.
- Tank: The off-road-focused department of GWM concentrates on off-road-ready 4WD vehicles like the Tank 300 and 500.
- P Series: These are the premium workhorse vehicles from GWM: The P300 and P500 bakkies compete with well-known legacy brands.
The second wave
Many of these brands arrived between 2023 and 2025 and are now scaling up.
BYD (Build Your Dreams): Focuses on EVs and hybrids. Popular 2026 models include the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, and the Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid bakkie.
Omoda & Jaecoo: Under the Chery umbrella but marketed as standalone premium/lifestyle brands. Key models are the Omoda C5/C9 and Jaecoo J7/J5.
BAIC: Known for the Beijing X55 SUV and the rugged B40 Plus off-roader.
- Jetour: The unspoken stepchild of the Chery Group. Jetour first brought the Dashing and X70 crossover SUVs and recently introduced the T1 and T2 4WD SUVs.
JAC Motors: A major player in the bakkie and commercial space with the T6, T8, and the high-spec T9 double cabs.
- GAC Motors: GAC brings in the EmKoo and EmZoom crossovers and has recently branched out with the M8 luxury van.
- Leapmotor: Launched late in 2025 under the auspices of Stellantis in SA, with a full EV premium SUV called the C10
New entrants & sub-brands for 2026
2026 marks the arrival or formal expansion of several specialised marques:
Denza: A luxury sub-brand of BYD, launching in 2026 with high-end SUVs like the D9 and B5/B8, which are based on the Fangchengbao off-road tech.
Geely: Geely is re-establishing itself with a focus on its diverse sub-brands:
Zeekr: High-performance luxury EVs.
Riddara: Specialised electric bakkies.
Farizon: Commercial and electric utility vehicles
iCaur: Another Chery sub-brand (formerly iCar) launching in 2026 with rugged, retro-styled EVs like the 03T and the V23.
- Dongfeng: Concentrates on compact city EVs and luxury EV sedans.
Lepas: Chery’s fifth brand for South Africa, debuting the L4, L6, and L8 SUVs.
Deepal: Changan’s dedicated EV and hybrid brand, focused on tech-heavy, affordable electric mobility.
Bakkie & commercial brands
LDV: Making waves with the T60 and the new Terron 9 flagship bakkie.
- Maxus: The full EV T90 commercial van distributed alongside LDV.
Foton: Now assembling locally in Gqeberha as of 2026, offering the Tunland V7 and V9 hybrid bakkies.
JMC: Recently returned to the market with the Vigus bakkie range.
- Changan: The Hunter series of double-cab utility vehicles.
Dayun: Offering compact, affordable EVs like the Yuehu S5.
- DFSK: Distributes the KO1S bakkie, the C35 panel van, and the electric models EC35 and EC31, aimed at commercial activity.
