SOUTH AFRICA’s automotive sector is at a crossroads, and Chinese auto manufacturers are increasingly being seen as the ones who may redefine its future.
After years of steady market penetration through imports and distribution, signs are emerging that some of these brands are considering a deeper, more permanent presence on South African soil.
The momentum behind Chinese automotive brands has been profound in the SA market. Once considered fringe players, they now occupy a visible and growing share of the local market.
Brands like Chery, GWM, and BAIC have become household names, not just for their affordability but for their increasingly competitive quality and design. Their rise has coincided with a period of strain for South Africa’s traditional automotive manufacturing base, which has been grappling with global trade shifts, rising costs, and policy uncertainty.
Lydia Zhang, Executive Vice President – Client Coverage, Corporate Investment Banking, Standard Bank says: “South Africa, despite its challenges, presents a strong and credible case for deeper Chinese investment in automotive manufacturing.
The country offers a mature industrial ecosystem, a skilled and experienced workforce, and a supply chain that has been tested and proven over decades. At the same time, Chinese brands are building real traction with local consumers and establishing a meaningful presence in the market.
When you combine that with South Africa’s role as a gateway to a rapidly growing African continent, one with low motorisation rates and a young, upwardly mobile population, the investment rationale becomes compelling.”
In an era of shifting global trade dynamics, OEMs are increasingly looking to diversify their markets, localise production, and build greater supply chain resilience.
In that context, South Africa stands out as a natural hub for long-term, sustainable growth.
Top Chinese OEMs have already established manufacturing facilities globally in other regions, to further establish such facility in SA to serve the Africa region could enhance their current growth strategy on the continent.
The feasibility of such investment is becoming more realistic.
Chinese brands have reached a scale where local assembly could soon make economic sense. Their sales volumes are growing rapidly, and their distribution networks are becoming more sophisticated.
Several leading Chinese brands have launched feasibility studies to assess the potential for establishing assembly plants in South Africa. These studies are ongoing, and although no formal announcements have been made, the intent is evident.
The broader context also supports this shift.
Traditional manufacturers are reportedly scaling back their operations or relocating production outside of South Africa. This creates a vacuum that new entrants could fill, especially if they are supported by government incentives and infrastructure development.
South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has expressed interest in attracting new automotive investment, and programs like the Automotive Production and Development Programme offer financial incentives that could make local manufacturing more attractive.
Zhang says, “While we would expect Chinese OEMs to begin with semi-knocked down (Semi Knocked Down) or limited-scale assembly, it is important that this evolves into full-scale CKD (Completely Knocked Down) production within a defined timeframe.
We see this progression as critical for job creation and meaningful local industry participation, supported by South Africa’s automotive supplier base.
Government policy should reinforce this trajectory, ensuring accountability and tangible local economic impact.”
Chinese OEMs bring with them not only scale but also technological innovation.
Many are leaders in electric vehicle development and advanced manufacturing techniques. Their presence could accelerate South Africa’s transition to cleaner mobility and introduce new standards for efficiency and quality.
Moreover, local production would allow these brands to tailor their offerings more closely to regional preferences, enhancing their competitiveness across the continent.
South Africa currently has a duty-free trade access with Europe which benefits the country through increased exports, improved economic growth, and enhanced regional cooperation.
Once government finalizes a revised and recalibrated Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) framework to incentivise NEV production this will present an opportunity for Chinese OEMs to scale NEV manufacturing for the European market, positioning South Africa as a strategic production and export base for next-generation mobility.
However, challenges remain. “Infrastructure constraints, including energy supply and logistics, continue to be monitored.
Investors will also be looking for clarity around tariffs, labour laws, and long-term policy commitments.
Brand perception is another consideration. While Chinese vehicles are gaining acceptance, some consumers still benchmark them against their European and US rivals.
Continued investment in quality, after-sales service, enhancing the used vehicle value retention and marketing will be essential to shift any perception gaps,” says Zhang.
“The next few years could mark a turning point for South Africa’s automotive sector.
If more Chinese OEMs commit to local manufacturing, it would not only reshape the competitive landscape but also reinvigorate an industry facing structural challenges. It would demonstrate that South Africa remains a viable and attractive destination for industrial investment, even in a rapidly changing global economy,” says Lydia Zhang.
Standard Bank South Africa has been proactive in supporting the growth of Chinese OEMs.
Through its partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and a dedicated China segment team.
From the bank’s perspective, the market is receptive to more local investment, and consumers have seen the value of Chinese brands offering comparable products, at competitive price points.
It would be greatly encouraging, and further support the local automotive sector, to see more Chinese OEMs invest in South Africa, establish significant manufacturing capability in the country to serve the wider continent’s growing demand.
Image supplied (Lydia Zhang, Executive Vice President – Client Coverage, Corporate Investment Banking, Standard Bank).
