Chery Auto has officially inaugurated its new assembly plant in Rosslyn, Gauteng, marking a significant shift in South Africa's automotive landscape.The plant, previously used for Nissan Navara production, will undergo refurbishment to commence local manufacturing from mid-2027.Key models set for local production include the Jaecoo J5, Lepas L4, Chery Tiggo Cross, and potentially the Jetour T-Series SUV.The KP31 bakkie, featuring a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain, is also under consideration.Chery aims to produce 50,000 units annually by 2028, creating over 3,000 jobs directly and indirectly.The company plans to retain 692 former Nissan employees and increase local content to 40% in the early phase.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile highlighted the investment as confidence in South Africa's economy, emphasizing the importance of localisation for sustainable growth.Chery's CEO, Tony Liu, noted reliance on imported components initially but aims to build a local supplier base.The move positions Chery as a leading importer in South Africa, surpassing Suzuki in June 2026 sales.This expansion underscores Chery's commitment to South Africa's industrial development.