The Chery Rosslyn manufacturing plant was officially opened on Friday in Pretoria after a successful handover from Nissan.
Image: Supplied
The Chery Rosslyn manufacturing plant was opened on Friday in Pretoria after a successful handover from Nissan.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 350 guests, including South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng, and Chery Automobile Company chairman Yin Tongyue.
The event marked Chery becoming an automobile manufacturer in South Africa. Some 15,000 units are scheduled to be assembled in the ramp‑up phase, and eventually the plan is to scale toward 100,000 annual sales. Chinese brands now account for nearly 1 in 5 new vehicles sold in South Africa.
Tongyue said that at Chery, they live by one philosophy: “In Somewhere, For Somewhere, Be Somewhere. “It means wherever we invest, we commit. We become part of the local economy, part of the community, part of the country’s future. Today proves that commitment. We have moved from being an importer to a manufacturer — and from a market participant to a long-term partner in South Africa's industry.”
Mashatile said the government welcomes Chery's presence in Rosslyn precisely because it offers the possibility for further industrialisation to be rooted in local communities, for jobs to be created where they are most needed, and for young South Africans to see themselves not only as workers, but as owners, innovators, and leaders in the automotive sector.
"This factory is therefore a beacon of hope, skills and future opportunities for the youth of Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Hammanskraal," said Mashatile.
The Chery Rosslyn manufacturing plant was officially opened on Friday in Pretoria after a successful handover from Nissan
Image: Supplied
Chery said that they will invest in upgrading the plant’s facilities and utilities, with initial production intended to commence in mid-2027.
Chery added that the Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria is one of South Africa’s longest-standing automotive manufacturing facilities, having been established in 1963. “The plant was previously part of Nissan South Africa’s local manufacturing footprint and has played a role in the country’s automotive production history. Chery’s takeover of the Rosslyn plant marks a new chapter for the facility, ensuring that it remains active as part of South Africa’s automotive sector while supporting Chery’s transition from an importer to a local manufacturer.”
Chery said that the move into local manufacturing is highly significant for South Africa, as it reinforces the country’s position as a key automotive manufacturing hub on the continent.
“The investment will support local production, skills development, supplier localisation, and future export potential, all of which are important for long-term industrial growth. It also signals confidence in South Africa as a manufacturing base and helps ensure that the Rosslyn plant continues contributing to the country’s automotive economy.”
The company added that all 692 existing employees at the Rosslyn plant would be retained, which is an important step in protecting jobs and ensuring operational continuity.
“In addition, the company expects to create nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, supply chain, and related services. This means the impact of the takeover will extend beyond the plant itself, creating opportunities for local suppliers, logistics partners, and service providers connected to the wider automotive value chain.”
Chery's directors said that Chinese investment is becoming increasingly important to South Africa’s manufacturing sector, particularly where it supports industrialisation.
“In the automotive industry, investment from Chinese manufacturers such as Chery helps shift the relationship from vehicle imports alone to deeper local participation through assembly, localisation, and supplier development. This is especially important as South Africa looks to strengthen its manufacturing base, increase value-added production, and remain competitive in a changing global automotive market.”
Chery said that the Chery Tiggo 4 Cross will be the first model to be produced, after which Jetour, Jaecoo, and Lepas models will follow. in no particular order.
Chery concluded that since entering the South African market in 2021, they have grown into one of the country's fastest-growing automotive brands and now rank as the second-largest passenger vehicle brand by sales this year.
In the first half of 2026, Chery Group exported 944,000 vehicles from China, representing a year-on-year increase of 71.5% and setting a new record for Chinese automakers by surpassing 900,000 units in just six months.
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