Chery to begin vehicle production at former Nissan plant in South Africa

Chinese automotive group Chery plans to begin local vehicle production at the Rosslyn plant in Gauteng, South Africa, starting in the second half of 2027. The facility, which Chery acquired from Nissan earlier in 2026, is currently undergoing infrastructure upgrades to prepare for manufacturing.

Production is scheduled to commence with the Omoda C4 hybrid model, with petrol and fully electric versions planned for the South African market. Other models, including the Jaecoo J5, are also identified for potential local assembly. This move marks Chery’s transition from an importer to a local producer in the region.

The expansion follows strong sales performance for the Omoda and Jaecoo brands, which reached nearly 32,000 cumulative sales in South Africa by the end of September 2026. While the project aims to support local assembly, supplier development, and employment in Gauteng, the extent of opportunities for South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will depend on local procurement requirements.