South Africa will see at least 3 new car brands arriving on local soil in 2025. Take a look at what’s on the way!
The South African car market is flourishing with no less than 54 car brands selling cars in South Africa. In 2025, however, some interesting new car brands will open shop in Mzansi and all of them have roots in China.
Also see: New Cars Coming to South Africa in 2025
The new car brands coming to South Africa in 2025 are listed in alphabetical order.
New Car Brands Coming to South Africa in 2025
Dongfeng
Country of origin: China (since 1969)
Headquarters: Wuhan, Hubei
Dongfeng Motor Group is due to arrive in South Africa early in 2025 and at a recent launch, the Chinese car brand revealed the all-electric Box, the first model to go on sale locally.
It must be noted that Dongfeng has been selling trucks locally for some time but the arrival of the Box will mark the brand’s entry into the passenger car market.
The Dongfeng Box is equipped with a 42.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack that provides an electric driving range of 430 km and used a 70 kW / 160 Nm front-mounted electric motor.
Dongfeng also announced its intention to launch 2 additional products during the course of 2025 but these models will be confirmed in due course. Pricing and specification for the Box will be confirmed in due course but the Box is expected to be one of South Africa’s cheapest EV’s.
Dongfeng will be distributed locally by E Auto Motor.
Leapmotor
Country of Origin: China (since 2015, owned by Stellantis)
Headquarters: Hangzhou
Stellantis-owned Leapmotor will join the local market in the second half of 2025.
The Chinese brand will launch the C10 SUV with a full electric powertrain comprising a single rear-mounted electric motor with outputs of 160 kW and 320 Nm. Using a 69.9-kWh, the Leapmotor C10 will offer a claimed range of around 420 km.
Specification and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch in September 2025.
MG
Country of Origin: Great Britain since 1924 (Chinese-owned by SAIC since 2007)
Headquarters: Shanghai, China
The legendary British car brand is now owned and backed by Chinese group SAIC Motor which also produces the LDV bakkie.
The MG brand celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2024 and MG will be fully operational as of December 2024 and into the year!
MG’s local product offensive will start with the ZS and HS crossovers as well the sporty electric MG Cyberster. More products are expected to follow.
The MG ZS finds motivation from a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with 84 kW and 150 Nm and is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The larger MG HS family car employs a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with 125 kW and 275 Nm and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
As for the electric Cyberster, it will be offered in all-wheel-drive with 2 electric motors producing 375 kW and 725 Nm. A 77 kWh lithium-ion battery allows for a claimed range of 443 km. Zero to 100 kph is claimed in 3.2 seconds.
