In just one year, the Chinese automotive brands Omoda and Jaecoo have captured significant attention in the South African market, surpassing established brands like Mazda, Land Rover, and Volvo in sales. Recently reported by Naamsa (the Automotive Business Council), these brands have emerged among the top-selling car groups in the country, securing the 16th position in South Africa’s automotive market.
A Strategic Push into the Market
Omoda and Jaecoo, part of the Chery automotive group, are marketed independently in South Africa under the joint name “O&J.” Known for their premium crossover and SUV offerings, O&J aims to present an upscale alternative to Chery’s popular Tiggo Pro lineup.
Omoda first entered the South African market in April 2023 with the launch of the C5 crossover, followed by Jaecoo’s introduction of the J7 SUV a year later. Currently, these two models make up O&J’s lineup, but both brands have announced plans to introduce new models soon, including the Omoda C9 and E5, and the Jaecoo J6 and J8.
Despite their recent entry, O&J’s sales figures underscore their rapid growth. In July 2024, Naamsa released sales data showing Omoda and Jaecoo’s standing among South Africa’s car brands, with highlights as follows:
- Toyota - 11,131 units
- Volkswagen - 6,178 units
- Suzuki - 4,816 units
- Ford - 2,901 units
- Hyundai - 2,699 units
- Isuzu - 2,072 units
- Nissan - 1,884 units
- Chery - 1,701 units
- GWM - 1,562 units
- Renault - 1,210 units
- Kia - 1,068 units
- Mahindra - 1,007 units
- BMW - 994 units
- Stellantis - 573 units
- Mercedes-Benz - 555 units
- Omoda & Jaecoo - 422 units
- Mazda - 240 units
- Jaguar Land Rover - 235 units
- Honda - 208 units
- Volvo - 159 units
- JAC - 158 units
- BAIC - 130 units
- Porsche - 106 units
- Proton - 75 units
- Subaru - 53 units
Impressive Performance by Omoda and Jaecoo in South Africa’s Auto Market
In July alone, Omoda sold 224 units of the C5, while Jaecoo moved 198 units of the J7, giving O&J a combined total of 422 units and securing their spot as the 16th most popular car group in the market. These sales figures, reported separately from Chery’s, showcase O&J’s independent success.
For comparison, brands like Audi and Lexus contribute to Volkswagen’s and Toyota’s totals, adding hundreds of units to their counts. Yet, despite their recent entry, O&J outperformed nine established brands, including Mazda, Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, Volvo, Porsche, and Subaru.
This rapid rise highlights how Chinese car brands are making their mark in South Africa, where competitive pricing is appealing to a market increasingly affected by rising vehicle costs from traditional brands.
