South African deputy president celebrates Chery's transition from importer to manufacturer

South African and Chinese officials, industry leaders and guests attend the opening ceremony of Chery's Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. (People's Daily Online SA/Zhang Xi)

Chinese automotive manufacturer Chery officially opened its manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, on Friday, marking a major milestone in the company's transition from vehicle importer to local manufacturer and reinforcing its long-term commitment to South Africa's industrial development.

The opening ceremony brought together over 500 guests, including South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng, Chairman of Chery Holding Group Yin Tongyue, President of Chery International Charlie Zhang, Executive Vice President Zhang Guibing, government officials, industry leaders, diplomats and business representatives.

South African and Chinese officials, industry leaders and guests attend the opening ceremony of Chery's Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. (People's Daily Online SA/Zhang Xi)

The event underscored the growing economic partnership between China and South Africa and highlighted the role of industrial investment in promoting manufacturing, technology transfer, employment and sustainable development.

Addressing the ceremony, Mashatile described the investment as a strong vote of confidence in South Africa's economy and manufacturing sector. He said the project builds on discussions held during his working visit to China in 2023, where South Africa promoted itself as an attractive destination for automotive investment and sought to strengthen cooperation with Chinese manufacturers.

"Today we celebrate not only Chery's confidence in South Africa but also our shared commitment to industrialization, investment attraction and economic growth," Mashatile said.

He added that the Rosslyn investment demonstrates South Africa's continued position as one of Africa's leading automotive manufacturing destinations and supports the country's vision of becoming the continent's automotive gateway. Mashatile emphasized that the factory should deliver benefits beyond vehicle production by creating jobs, developing skills and expanding opportunities for local suppliers, particularly youth-owned enterprises and township businesses.

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses guests during the opening ceremony of Chery's Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. (People's Daily Online SA/Zhang Xi)

He called on Chery to work closely with South African suppliers and help strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity through greater localization of components and supply chains.

"Assembly alone creates limited economic value, while localization generates stronger employment, builds industrial capability and creates lasting opportunities for communities," he said.

Mashatile also highlighted South Africa's Automotive Master Plan, which aims to increase vehicle production to 1.4 million units annually, raise local content to 60 percent, double employment in the sector and accelerate the country's transition to new energy vehicles by 2035.

From importer to manufacturer

For Chery, the opening of the Rosslyn plant marks the beginning of a new chapter in its South African journey.

"At Chery, we live by one philosophy: 'In Somewhere, For Somewhere, Be Somewhere.' It means wherever we invest, we commit. We become part of the local economy, part of the community and part of the country's future," Yin said.

"Today proves that commitment. We have moved from being an importer to a manufacturer and from a market participant to a long-term partner in South Africa's industrial story," Yin said.

Chery Holding Group Chairman Yin Tongyue speaks at the opening ceremony of Chery's Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. (People's Daily Online SA/Zhang Xi)

The company said the investment represents a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy and will deepen China-Africa industrial cooperation through high-quality manufacturing partnerships and shared development. Established in 1963, the Rosslyn facility is one of South Africa's oldest automotive manufacturing plants. Chery plans to modernize the factory's production facilities, with vehicle production expected to begin in mid-2027. During the initial production phase in the second half of 2027, the plant is expected to manufacture around 15,000 vehicles.

The company has committed to retaining all 692 existing employees while creating nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, logistics, supplier development and related services. An extensive localization program is already underway, with Chery engaging Tier-1 suppliers as it works towards meeting its localization targets by 2028. The company's longer-term vision is to transform Rosslyn into a comprehensive automotive hub incorporating vehicle manufacturing, research and development, supply chain operations and skills training.

The investment also forms part of Chery's broader strategy to establish South Africa as its African manufacturing, export, research and development, and operational headquarters. Supported by its expanding dealer network and growing vehicle portfolio, Chery aims to surpass 100,000 annual vehicle sales in the South African market.

Building an automotive ecosystem

Beyond manufacturing, Chery said the Rosslyn investment represents its first effort in Africa to establish a complete industrial ecosystem encompassing vehicle production, supply chains, green technologies and corporate social responsibility. The company plans to expand across several sectors, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, intelligent agricultural machinery, renewable energy, robotics, mineral resources and the circular economy.

This approach reflects Chery's shift from exporting products to building integrated industrial value chains that contribute to regional economic development and strengthen local industries. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to social development.

As a global partner of UNICEF, Chery has committed $12 million since 2023 to support education initiatives worldwide, including science, technology and innovation programs in South Africa. During the ceremony, Chery and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) also announced plans to launch a joint biodiversity conservation project in priority landscapes across South Africa, focusing on ecosystem restoration and sustainable community livelihoods.

Strong market momentum

Since entering South Africa in 2021, Chery has become one of the country's fastest-growing automotive brands and currently ranks as the second-largest passenger vehicle brand by sales. The company reported 29 percent year-on-year sales growth, while its passenger vehicle market share continues to expand. The Tiggo 4 Pro was South Africa's best-selling passenger vehicle in 2025.

Chery Group's South African portfolio now includes six brands: Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, iCaur and Lepas, covering passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and new energy vehicles. Among them, Omoda has sold more than 20,000 vehicles since launching in South Africa in 2023, while Jaecoo and Jetour entered the market in 2024.

Earlier this year, Jetour's T2 became the first Chinese-brand vehicle to win South Africa's Car of the Year award. The company also recently introduced the all-electric iCaur V23 and launched Lepas, its premium SUV brand offering petrol, hybrid and all-electric models.

Chery Group showcases its vehicle lineup during the opening ceremony of its Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. (People's Daily Online SA/Zhang Xi)

Founded in 1997 in Wuhu, Anhui Province, Chery has grown into one of China's leading automotive manufacturers, operating in more than 130 countries and regions. The company has remained China's leading exporter of passenger vehicles for 23 consecutive years. In the first half of 2026, Chery exported 944,000 vehicles worldwide, a 71.5 percent increase year on year, while its global customer base exceeded 19.88 million users, including more than 6.78 million overseas customers.

For South Africa, the Rosslyn investment represents more than the arrival of another vehicle manufacturer. It reflects growing confidence in the country's industrial potential and demonstrates how cooperation between South Africa and China is supporting manufacturing, innovation, skills development and sustainable economic growth.

Chery Group showcases its vehicle lineup during the opening ceremony of its Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. (People's Daily Online SA/Zhang Xi)

As Mashatile concluded, the Rosslyn plant should not simply be remembered for the vehicles that roll off its production lines, but for the opportunities it creates, the communities it uplifts and the lasting contribution it makes to South Africa's industrial future.