Chery South Africa production plans are taking shape after the Chinese automotive manufacturer confirmed that three vehicles – the Omoda C4, Chery Grootman and Jetour T2 – will be manufactured at its newly acquired Rosslyn plant in Pretoria from 2027.
The announcement was made by Chery South Africa CEO Tony Liu during the company’s International User Summit in Wuhu, China, marking a significant development in the automaker’s expansion into local vehicle manufacturing.
The confirmation also provides greater clarity about Chery’s plans for the former Nissan manufacturing facility, where hundreds of employees have been retained ahead of the start of production.
Chery South Africa Production to Begin with Omoda C4
The first vehicle scheduled for local assembly is the upcoming Omoda C4, with production expected to begin at the start of the third quarter of 2027.
The Chery Grootman bakkie and Jetour T2 SUV will follow, although exact production dates for these two models have not yet been announced.
The decision to manufacture vehicles locally represents an important step for Chery as it develops its presence in the South African automotive market.
Rather than relying exclusively on imported vehicles, the company is preparing to establish a manufacturing operation capable of producing models from different brands within its wider automotive portfolio.
The Rosslyn facility will therefore play a role in Chery’s longer-term South African operations.
Three Models Confirmed for the Rosslyn Factory
Omoda C4: The First Vehicle Off the Production Line
The upcoming Omoda C4 is expected to be positioned below the existing Omoda C5 in the local market.
This could give consumers another option in the compact SUV segment, alongside models such as the Chery Tiggo 4 and Tiggo Cross.
According to the company’s announced production schedule, the Omoda C4 will be the first of the three vehicles manufactured at the Rosslyn facility.
Chery Grootman: A Bakkie Named by South Africans
The Chery Grootman is particularly significant because South African consumers played a role in naming the upcoming bakkie.
Known internationally as the Stockman, the vehicle will carry the Grootman name in South Africa.
Its inclusion in the local manufacturing programme brings an additional dimension to Chery’s plans, extending production beyond passenger SUVs into the competitive bakkie market.
The Grootman has already attracted attention through Chery’s consumer-driven naming initiative, making it one of the brand’s notable upcoming launches.
Jetour T2: An Established SUV Joins the Line-Up
The Jetour T2 is the third model confirmed for local production.
According to the announcement reported by the Mail & Guardian, the SUV has sold close to 5,000 units in South Africa and received the 2026 South African Car of the Year title.
The decision to include the T2 in the Rosslyn manufacturing programme indicates that Chery is incorporating an established model alongside upcoming vehicles.
Together, the three models will give the factory a production portfolio spanning compact SUVs, an off-road-oriented SUV and a bakkie.
Chery South Africa Production Plans Include 692 Retained Employees
An important part of the Chery South Africa production announcement concerns the workforce at the former Nissan facility.
Tony Liu confirmed that 692 employees have been retained following Chery’s acquisition of the plant.
These employees are undergoing training ahead of the company’s planned manufacturing operations.
Some have already travelled to China for training, beginning with management-level personnel.
Additional groups are expected to follow as the company prepares its workforce for the production processes and operational requirements of the new vehicle line-up.
The retention and training programme represents an important component of Chery’s preparations to begin manufacturing vehicles in South Africa.
What Chery’s Rosslyn Investment Means for the Brand
The confirmation of three locally manufactured models represents a significant milestone in Chery’s South African expansion.
The company’s strategy combines new vehicle introductions, an established SUV nameplate and a bakkie developed with a South African market identity.
For Chery, local production could provide opportunities to strengthen its operational presence and develop deeper connections with the country’s automotive industry.
However, the company has not yet disclosed the production volumes, local component sourcing targets or potential pricing implications associated with the Rosslyn programme.
These details will be important in assessing the broader impact of the investment as production approaches.
From a brand perspective, the inclusion of the Grootman is particularly noteworthy. Its locally selected name gives Chery an opportunity to connect its manufacturing ambitions with South African consumer participation.
Chery South Africa Production Set for Third Quarter of 2027
The Chery South Africa production timeline currently places the Omoda C4 at the beginning of the third quarter of 2027, followed by the Chery Grootman and Jetour T2.
With 692 retained employees undergoing training and three models confirmed, Chery has outlined the first stage of its local manufacturing programme.
The next developments to watch will include further details about production capacity, vehicle specifications and the official rollout of the locally manufactured models.
For South Africa’s automotive industry, the announcement adds another significant chapter to the growing presence of Chinese vehicle brands in the local market.
The confirmation of Chery South Africa production plans was reported by the Mail & Guardian on 20 October 2026, following comments made by Chery South Africa CEO Tony Liu at the company’s International User Summit in Wuhu, China. The announcement builds on Chery Group’s broader local manufacturing ambitions, previously covered by Pat on Brands in our article, JAECOO J5 Confirmed for South African Production, which explored the group’s plans to manufacture vehicles locally.
