Chinese language Automakers Are Reshaping South Africa’s Used Automobile Market

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AutoTrader information reveals gross sales of Chinese language automobiles jumped 89% within the first half of 2025.

South Africa’s used automobile market is experiencing a rise in exercise following a collection of rate of interest cuts. AutoTrader SA’s newest report says that following two rate of interest cuts in 2025 — one in January and one other in Could, totalling 50 foundation factors — borrowing has change into extra reasonably priced, due to this fact providing aid to shoppers. The drop in rates of interest has helped increase used automobile gross sales from January to June 2025 in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. Throughout this era, a complete of 181,206 used automobiles bought generated R75.85 billion in complete gross sales, which equates to a 7% improve from the earlier 12 months.

What’s attention-grabbing, although, is the altering dynamics in South Africa’s automotive sector. In a market the place German, Japanese, European, South Korean, and even American manufacturers like Ford and Common Motors dominate, Chinese language manufacturers are beginning to develop their presence. As soon as the underdogs of the automotive world, Chinese language automakers have confirmed themselves to be a pressure to be reckoned with, giving many established gamers in South Africa’s automobile market trigger for concern.

Based on AutoTrader SA’s new report, new automobile gross sales for Chinese language manufacturers have skyrocketed, and the identical developments are evident within the used automobile market, with AutoTrader’s newest Mid-Yr Report revealing gross sales of Chinese language manufacturers rose by 89% within the first half of 2025, led by BYD (+637%), Omoda (+99%), and Jaecoo (+168%). Whereas these percentages are putting, they mirror development from a comparatively small base, as these manufacturers are nonetheless rising gamers in South Africa’s automotive market.

The advantage of the altering automotive panorama is that these Chinese language gamers, like Chery and GWM, will not be afraid to usher in their plugin automobiles to a market the place plugins have been very sluggish to take off. That is additionally contributing to a resurgence within the uptake of plug-in hybrids, though the market is coming from a really small base. Extra PHEVs had been bought in H1 2025 in South Africa than in the entire of 2024! The introduction of latest fashions from Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, and Haval has performed an enormous half on this. Chery’s PHEVs made up 27% of all PHEVs bought in South Africa in H1 of 2025. It is very important word that South Africa doesn’t permit the imports of used automobiles. South Africa’s used automobile market is pushed by domestically assembled model new automobiles bought afterward by authentic homeowners in addition to imported new automobiles that later discover their technique to the used automobile market.

What’s attention-grabbing is that Chinese language manufacturers have been accessible on the South African market, in some type or one other, for almost twenty years. Nevertheless, some manufacturers have come and gone and are available again once more! Chery, MG, and Geely are a few of these manufacturers that had been accessible over a decade in the past, disappeared for some time, and at the moment are coming again stronger. Chery is again with a bang and was the fourth total finest promoting auto group in South Africa for July and August in new automobile gross sales, solely behind Toyota, Suzuki, and VW. MG is again and made begin final month, getting into the highest 20, and Geely is about to relaunch in South Africa quickly. So, while some manufacturers have come and gone, others have returned stronger than ever, with product portfolios that rival the easiest Japan, Europe, and Korea have to supply — and sometimes at extra interesting costs.

In a tricky financial setting the place everyone seems to be tightening their belts, this aggressive pricing edge has not gone unnoticed by South African shoppers, whose preferences are regularly shifting. Autotrader SA provides that whereas model cachet was as soon as a priority, many patrons at the moment are prioritising worth over different elements (corresponding to model and status), and demand extra from their automobiles, corresponding to security, luxurious options, and know-how, at an honest worth. A number of Chinese language manufacturers have taken benefit of this and have infiltrated the market with nice success, with all manufacturers exhibiting will increase in YoY gross sales.

The extra established manufacturers — corresponding to Haval, Chery, and BAIC, for instance — noticed development of +33%, +14%, and +16%, respectively. Autotrader SA says that whereas gross sales are a vital metric for demonstrating the rising success of Chinese language automobiles within the South African used automobile market, different indicators recommend that these manufacturers are poised for much more development domestically.

To indicate the rising curiosity even additional, AutoTrader SA information reveals that the surge extends past gross sales. Searches for Chinese language automobiles on AutoTrader climbed by +67% year-on-year, reflecting rising curiosity from a comparatively smaller place to begin. Enquiries elevated by +81%, and distinctive advert views have doubled, exhibiting that focus for these manufacturers is accelerating whilst their total presence out there stays rising.

“‘That is greater than a gross sales improve; it’s a structural shift out there,” commented George PropertyCEO of AutoTrader. “Chinese language automakers have discovered a technique to ship distinctive worth at a fraction of the standard price, providing roughly 80% of what patrons count on for under 60% of the worth. That’s altering what South Africans think about potential with regards to affordability and know-how. The larger story is how that is reshaping competitors and setting new benchmarks that every one automakers should meet.”

Other than their worth proposition, a number of Chinese language automakers, together with Chery, BYD, Omoda, and Haval, are introducing well-priced electrified automobiles to the market. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are usually dearer than their conventional petrol and diesel counterparts, inserting them out of attain for a lot of South Africans. Chinese language  affect on this phase is now evident, with the Haval H6, Haval Jolion, and GWM Tank 300 rating among the many prime ten best-selling hybrid (HEV) automobiles between January and June 2025.

AutoTrader provides that as extra electrified choices attain the market, will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the Chinese language reduce themselves an even bigger slice of the pie. The rise in searches suggests it won’t be lengthy earlier than this occurs. BYD, for instance, which at present sells PHEV and EV fashions just like the Shark 6 bakkie and Dolphin in South Africa, noticed a notable +463% improve in searches. Jaecoo — which not too long ago launched the J7 SHS plug-in hybrid — noticed searches rise by 218%, highlighting sturdy curiosity for these new manufacturers, even from a modest preliminary viewers.

Information reveals that enquiries on BYD automobiles, nonetheless, noticed a outstanding +1,369% improve, exhibiting that customers have gotten more and more open to the concept of proudly owning not solely a Chinese language automobile, however an electrified one. Nevertheless, Autotrader additionally asks what this new wave of curiosity in Chinese language automobiles means for legacy automakers? Ought to they panic?

Whereas they shouldn’t relaxation on their laurels, the information reveals that they nonetheless have the overwhelming help of shoppers, as evidenced by gross sales, searches, and enquiries, with no Chinese language automobiles breaching the highest 10 lists in any of those respective classes. Whereas gross sales of Chinese language automobiles have elevated, native shoppers nonetheless evaluate them to fashions and types which have traditionally remained sturdy sellers.

The info signifies a broader development in South Africa’s motoring panorama. Chinese language manufacturers are more and more assembly shopper demand for accessible pricing, up to date design, and technological options, and their rising presence suggests they’ll play a higher function in shaping the nation’s used automobile market within the years to come back. How is the market evolving in your nation? Please tell us within the feedback part.

Efficiency of Chinese language manufacturers on AutoTrader in H1 2025 (January–June)

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