The Chery Rosslyn manufacturing plant was officially opened in Pretoria, marking the company's transition from vehicle importer to local manufacturer in South Africa and signaling its long-term commitment to the country.
This represents a crucial leap for Chery from an importer to a local manufacturer in South Africa, and stands as a significant milestone in its globalisation journey.
Taking this as a new starting point, Chery will deepen China‑Africa economic and trade ties through high‑quality capacity cooperation, striving to set a new benchmark for mutually beneficial international industrial cooperation.
A new chapter for the Rosslyn Plant
Established in 1963, the Rosslyn plant is one of South Africa's longest-operating automotive manufacturing facilities.
Chery will invest in upgrading the plant's facilities and utilities, with the initial production intended to commence within mid-2027. During the ramp-up period (Q3 & Q4 2027), the planned production total is 15,000 units. Chery has committed to retaining all 692 existing employees to ensure operational continuity, while creating nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, supply chain, and services.
The company has launched an extensive localisation programme, surveying Tier-1 suppliers as it works towards achieving its localisation targets by 2028.
Chery's long-term vision is to develop the facility into a comprehensive automotive hub encompassing R&D, supply chain operations, and skills development, evolving into an automotive and industrial ecosystem that supports the company's expanding presence in Southern Africa.
The investment forms part of Chery's broader vision to establish South Africa as its African manufacturing, export, research and development, and operational headquarters.
Together with the company's growing dealer network and expanding vehicle portfolio, the new manufacturing plant positions Chery for long-term sustainable growth, with an ambition to exceed 100,000 annual vehicle sales in the South African market.
Pioneering Full-Ecosystem Global Expansion
With the opening of the Rosslyn plant, Chery will, for the first time in Africa, present a comprehensive display of its full industrial chain ecosystem — a complete industrial loop spanning from raw materials to end products, and extending to green circularity and corporate social responsibility.
Taking this as a new starting point, Chery will move from "product export" to "full value chain and full ecosystem international expansion", deeply engaging in regional industrial development, driving coordinated growth across upstream and downstream supply chains, and accelerating the comprehensive upgrade of Southern Africa's automotive industry.
This strategic footprint spans passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, smart agricultural machinery, green photovoltaics, mineral resources, robotics, and the circular economy — forming a diversified industrial portfolio.
The Group's South African portfolio includes Chery, OMODA, JAECOO, Jetour, iCAUR and LEPAS – six distinct brands that together span the passenger, SUV, and new‑energy vehicle segments.
