Chery Group Surpasses Volkswagen in South Africa

Tony Liu, CEO of Chery South Africa, reports that Chery Group sold 16,094 vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding Volkswagen Group’s 13,980 units. Liu attributes this milestone to consistent growth driven by product strength and value for South African customers, not a temporary market fluctuation. Chery’s Tiggo 4 model led sales with 1,871 units in April alone, also becoming the country’s best-selling passenger vehicle.

The Chery Group—including Chery, Jetour, Omoda & Jaecoo, Lepas, and iCaur—has seen cumulative sales surpass 20,000 units. Liu draws parallels to the post-1970s oil crisis and the rise of Japanese brands, noting a similar shift driven by cost of ownership and fuel efficiency. In early 2026, roughly 25% of South Africa’s new energy vehicle market was comprised of Chery Group’s NEV sales.

Chery plans to expand its presence through new battery electric vehicle models and potential local production at its Rosslyn plant. The company views localization as more than assembly, emphasizing the development of a robust local supply chain and job creation opportunities, potentially reaching 3,000 jobs over time.