Seen Here: Chery Group is accelerating its South African manufacturing ambitions with plans to produce the Omoda C4 at its Rosslyn plant in Pretoria from the third quarter of 2027. With hybrid production leading the rollout, followed by petrol and fully electric variants, the investment signals a significant step towards expanding local automotive manufacturing, supplier development and potential job creation in Gauteng. Photo Credit: Supplied
Local production scheduled for the third quarter of 2027 will begin with the hybrid model, with petrol and fully electric derivatives planned for later introduction.
PRETORIA, 20 October 2026 — Chery Group South Africa is strengthening its commitment to local manufacturing with plans to produce the new Omoda C4 at its Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, marking another significant development in the company’s transition from vehicle importer to local automotive producer.
Local assembly is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027, with the hybrid version expected to lead production. South African customers are anticipated to receive the C4 as a fully imported model in early 2027, ahead of the rollout of locally assembled vehicles later in the year.
The announcement signals a further expansion of Chery Group’s manufacturing ambitions in Gauteng, with potential implications for automotive investment, local supplier development and employment opportunities within South Africa’s established vehicle-production sector.
Tony Liu, CEO of Chery Group South Africa, confirmed that the hybrid derivative would be the first version to roll off the Rosslyn production line.
“The first roll-out plan for Omoda at the Rosslyn plant will be the Omoda C4 hybrid,” said Liu. “The C4 is the latest Omoda on our newest platform. We will also have hybrid and BEV versions, with the BEV version and petrol derivative introduced at a later stage.”
Rosslyn becomes central to Chery’s local growth strategy
The planned production of the Omoda C4 forms part of Chery Group’s broader strategy to establish a stronger manufacturing footprint in South Africa.
The Rosslyn facility, formerly associated with Nissan and acquired by Chery Group earlier in 2026, is undergoing recommissioning ahead of the planned resumption of vehicle production in the second half of 2027.
Its redevelopment represents an important step in the group’s efforts to establish local assembly capacity while broadening the range of vehicles available to South African motorists.
For the domestic automotive industry, the expansion comes at a time when manufacturers are navigating changing consumer preferences, increasing competition and a gradual shift towards alternative-energy vehicles.
Alan Quinn, Chief Innovation and Product Officer at Cars.co.za, said local production would strengthen Omoda’s position in the market.
“The Omoda C4 brings Omoda’s newest platform and design language to South Africa, and building it at Rosslyn allows us to offer customers a more accessible, locally assembled product,” he said.
“With hybrid, petrol and electric versions planned, the C4 will give South African buyers greater choice as the market continues to evolve.”
Omoda C4 targets a competitive market segment
Initially unveiled as the C3 in April 2025, the vehicle was renamed the C4 for the South African market. Positioned just below the Omoda C5, the new model measures 4,424mm in length, making it slightly longer than its sibling.
The C4 is expected to broaden Omoda’s local offering by introducing another option in the increasingly competitive crossover market.
Its planned range of powertrains is also significant. The hybrid model will lead the local production programme, followed by petrol and battery-electric vehicle (BEV) derivatives at a later stage.
This phased introduction will allow the brand to expand its offering across different powertrain preferences as the South African market continues to assess the affordability, practicality and long-term benefits of alternative-energy vehicles.
Although the company has not detailed the full local specifications, pricing or launch dates for every derivative, the production strategy points to an intention to offer customers greater choice within a single model range.
Hybrid-first approach reflects changing market dynamics
The decision to begin local production with a hybrid vehicle highlights Chery Group’s focus on expanding its new-energy vehicle portfolio in South Africa.
Hybrid vehicles can appeal to motorists seeking improved fuel efficiency without relying exclusively on charging infrastructure, while fully electric vehicles offer an alternative for customers ready to make the transition to battery-powered motoring.
Introducing the C4 in stages will allow Chery to develop its local range around multiple technologies rather than relying on a single powertrain category.
The planned arrival of petrol and fully electric variants will also give the brand flexibility as customer demand, infrastructure availability and vehicle affordability continue to shape purchasing decisions.
A growing portfolio of locally assembled vehicles
The Omoda C4 is expected to join a broader collection of models earmarked for production at Rosslyn. These include the Chery Tiggo 4, Jaecoo J5, Jetour T-Series and the forthcoming Chery Grootman double-cab bakkie.
The expanding model pipeline points to a wider manufacturing strategy designed to establish Rosslyn as a significant production base within Chery Group’s South African operations.
Beyond the vehicles themselves, the development of local assembly capacity could create opportunities across the automotive value chain, including component supply, logistics, technical services and manufacturing-related skills development.
However, the scale of these benefits will depend on factors such as production volumes, the extent of locally sourced components and the development of supporting supplier networks.
Implications for South Africa’s automotive sector
South Africa has an established automotive manufacturing industry, particularly in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, with vehicle production contributing to industrial activity, exports and employment.
Chery Group’s planned investment in Rosslyn adds another dimension to the sector’s evolving competitive landscape, particularly as manufacturers seek to balance imported vehicle sales with more localised production.
For consumers, the move could eventually provide greater access to locally assembled models. For the broader industry, it presents an opportunity to strengthen manufacturing capacity and potentially deepen participation in automotive supply chains.
The transition from importer to producer is nevertheless a complex undertaking, requiring sustained investment, operational readiness, market demand and effective supplier integration.
As Rosslyn moves towards its planned production restart, the Omoda C4 will be an important part of Chery Group’s effort to establish a long-term manufacturing presence in South Africa.
With hybrid production scheduled to lead the programme in the third quarter of 2027, followed by petrol and fully electric derivatives, the C4 represents more than a new model launch. It is a strategic step in the group’s ambition to expand local manufacturing while responding to the changing needs of South African motorists.
About Cars.co.za
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