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AutoTrader information exhibits 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 develop into extra reasonably priced, subsequently providing reduction 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 yr. Throughout this era, a complete of 181,206 used automobiles bought generated R75.85 billion in whole gross sales, which equates to a 7% improve from the earlier yr.
What’s fascinating, 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 Basic 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.
In line with 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-12 months 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 placing, they mirror development from a comparatively small base, as these manufacturers are nonetheless rising gamers in South Africa’s automotive market.
The benefit of the altering automotive panorama is that these Chinese language gamers, like Chery and GWM, are usually not afraid to herald their plugin automobiles to a market the place plugins have been very gradual 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 recent 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. You will need to word that South Africa doesn’t permit the imports of used automobiles. South Africa’s used car market is pushed by regionally assembled model new automobiles bought afterward by unique homeowners in addition to imported new automobiles that later discover their approach to the used car market.
What’s fascinating is that Chinese language manufacturers have been accessible on the South African market, in some type or one other, for almost 20 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 car gross sales, solely behind Toyota, Suzuki, and VW. MG is again and made an excellent begin final month, getting into the highest 20, and Geely is ready 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 infrequently at extra interesting costs.
In a tricky financial surroundings the place everyone seems to be tightening their belts, this aggressive pricing edge has not gone unnoticed by South African shoppers, whose preferences are steadily shifting. Autotrader SA provides that whereas model cachet was as soon as a priority, many patrons at the moment are prioritising worth over different points (equivalent to model and status), and demand extra from their automobiles, equivalent to security, luxurious options, and expertise, at a good value. 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 — equivalent 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 regionally.
To indicate the rising curiosity even additional, AutoTrader SA information exhibits 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 Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “Chinese language automakers have discovered a approach to ship distinctive worth at a fraction of the standard value, providing roughly 80% of what patrons count on for under 60% of the value. That’s altering what South Africans think about attainable in terms of affordability and expertise. The larger story is how that is reshaping competitors and setting new benchmarks that each one automakers must 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 sometimes costlier than their conventional petrol and diesel counterparts, putting 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 high ten best-selling hybrid (HEV) automobiles between January and June 2025.
AutoTrader provides that as extra electrified choices attain the market, it is going to be fascinating to see how the Chinese language lower themselves an even bigger slice of the pie. The rise in searches suggests it is not going to 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 just lately launched the J7 SHS plug-in hybrid — noticed searches rise by 218%, highlighting robust curiosity for these new manufacturers, even from a modest preliminary viewers.
Knowledge exhibits that enquiries on BYD automobiles, nevertheless, noticed a exceptional +1,369% improve, exhibiting that customers have gotten more and more open to the thought 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 info exhibits 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 examine them to fashions and types which have traditionally remained robust sellers.
The information signifies a broader pattern in South Africa’s motoring panorama. Chinese language manufacturers are more and more assembly client demand for accessible pricing, modern design, and technological options, and their rising presence suggests they’ll play a larger position in shaping the nation’s used automobile market within the years to return. 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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