Chery Group South Africa has had a massive impact on the South African motoring industry, and local production is on the horizon. We ponder what its 1st locally produced vehicle will be like…
What began as a peripheral, budget brand in the late 2000s with zero brand equity has developed into the Chinese car company with the most impact in South Africa. If you count the Chery Group and its various sub-brands as one, it’s conquering enormous market share from legacy car brands.
The momentum behind Chery’s South African operations will increase further when it takes over the Nissan assembly facility in Rosslyn following an acquisition agreement finalised in early 2026. At the recent Beijing Auto Show, now the world’s most important automotive trade and technology event, Chery’s senior management confirmed some of its future production plans for its Rosslyn facility. And they are telling.
T-Series takeover
Jetour is one of the most successful Chery sub-brands in South Africa. While the brand built its foundation on the Dashing and X70 Plus, its latest explosive growth is driven by one model range: the T-Series.
With a design remarkably similar to Land Rover’s Defender, the Jetour T1/2 crossovers have been a smash hit. In peak months, Jetour’s overall brand sales have sold in excess of a staggering 1 200 units. Sales on that scale in the outdoor vehicle market are usually achieved only by Toyota.
The Jetour T-Series is trending everywhere on social media and search. It is arguably the Chinese model most South Africans are curious about – they clearly appreciate the design language and comprehensive in-car tech. The T-Series is also a marker of how affordable a mid-size adventure crossover SUV can be.
This love for the T-range is why it makes complete sense for Chery to start production at Rosslyn with the Jetour T-Series.
Why the T2 matters more
Jetour produces two versions of the T-Series, of which the more rugged T2 is leading Jetour’s conquest in South Africa.
Featuring all-terrain tyres and a full-size spare wheel, the T2 is dominating in the rugged crossover market segment. But it has weaknesses. Like the lack of a low-range gearing; limited vertical suspension travel; and traction-control systems that can never do what true axle lockers can. It also has a low payload rating for a vehicle of its size and purpose.
For most South Africans who want an adventure crossover SUV that looks like it could master Sani Pass but will instead be used on the daily commute, the T2 appears perfect. However, should the T2 be built locally, the opportunity exists for all-terrain component upgrades to be offered.
Search for a new or used Jetour T2 on Cars.co.za
Will a locally made Jetour T2 be cheaper than it is now?
Jetour’s T-Series crossovers offer a lot of upfront value and standard-feature specification is very high. Aside from the design, this is the fundamental reason why they are selling in such impressive numbers.
But could they become even cheaper if they’re built locally?
As imported vehicles, the Jetour T-Series are subject to a 25% automotive import tariff. Imagine what T-Series sales would be like with a 25% price discount… The T1 range would start below R400 000 and buyers would be able to get a T2 for less than R500 000. South Africans would rush to their local Jetour dealerships.
However, the situation isn’t so simple. It will be more expensive to build Jetours locally than in China, where sourcing happens at cost-effective scale and labour rates are low. Both factors will likely absorb the 25% difference.
The discount danger
Many trending Chinese vehicles like Jetour’s T-Series are so new that nobody knows what the mid-term maintenance and aftersales risks are. These factors directly influence depreciation and future residual values.
Another element that impacts residual values but is usually completely within a brand’s control is discounting.
Were Jetour South Africa to drop the price of similar-spec South African-built T1 and T2 units, it would really hurt those first-adopter customers who took a risk on the brand when it launched. Why? Because the residual values of all T-Series vehicles already in the South African car parc would suffer due to the lower price of new, South African-built T1 and T2 units.
Search for a new or used Jetour T2 on Cars.co.za
What a local T2 might offer
Ultimately, don’t expect the Rosslyn-built T-Series to become cheaper. However, there’s scope for Chery to add value through enriched content and add-ons.
It’s impossible to imagine the T-Series derivatives getting even more standard kit. These Jetours feature specification levels that rival those of legacy-brand vehicles that cost 40% more. But remember: some South African T2 buyers might want to take their car on an overlanding adventure (within the limitations of not having low-range). And that’s where the big value-add might happen.
What Jetour could and should do is offer some models in the T2 line-up with adventure-vehicle components as standard. These items already exist: at the Beijing Auto Show, Chinese OEMs had a staggering range of off-road vehicle accessories fitted to their show cars.
A Jetour T2 with better payload…
South African-built T2s could feature desirable adventure-vehicle upgrades as standard.
Think roof boxes, tents, external storage accessories, spotlights, steel bumpers and proper all-terrain tyres. These would make it an even more compelling light-duty adventure SUV.
Before doing so, Jetour will need to address the T2’s low GVM rating, which will limit how many accessories the brand could offer. Is there an opportunity to develop an African market-specific T2 with a reinforced chassis and upgraded suspension?
Jetour T-Series volumes would certainly justify the investment in a more rugged Rosslyn-built version of T2. And that would address the only real weakness in a model that has made Jetour so successful in South Africa.
