Chinese Automakers Are Reshaping South Africa’s Used Car Market

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AutoTrader data shows sales of Chinese vehicles jumped 89% in the first half of 2025.

South Africa’s used car market is experiencing an increase in activity following a series of interest rate cuts. AutoTrader SA’s latest report says that following two interest rate cuts in 2025 — one in January and another in May, totalling 50 basis points — borrowing has become more affordable, therefore offering relief to consumers. The drop in interest rates has helped boost used car sales from January to June 2025 compared to the same period last year. During this period, a total of 181,206 used vehicles sold generated R75.85 billion in total sales, which equates to a 7% increase from the previous year.

What is interesting, though, is the changing dynamics in South Africa’s automotive sector. In a market where German, Japanese, European, South Korean, and even American brands like Ford and General Motors dominate, Chinese brands are starting to grow their presence. Once the underdogs of the automotive world, Chinese automakers have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with, giving many established players in South Africa’s car market cause for concern.

According to AutoTrader SA’s new report, new car sales for Chinese brands have skyrocketed, and the same trends are evident in the used car market, with AutoTrader’s latest Mid-Year Report revealing sales of Chinese brands rose by 89% in the first half of 2025, led by BYD (+637%), Omoda (+99%), and Jaecoo (+168%). While these percentages are striking, they reflect growth from a relatively small base, as these brands are still emerging players in South Africa’s automotive market.

The good thing about the changing automotive landscape is that these Chinese players, like Chery and GWM, are not afraid to bring in their plugin vehicles to a market where plugins have been very slow to take off. This is also contributing to a resurgence in the uptake of plug-in hybrids, although the market is coming from a very small base. More PHEVs were sold in H1 2025 in South Africa than in the whole of 2024! The introduction of new models from Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, and Haval has played a huge part in this. Chery’s PHEVs made up 27% of all PHEVs sold in South Africa in H1 of 2025. ‌It is important to note that South Africa does not allow the imports of used vehicles. South Africa’s used vehicle market is driven by locally assembled brand new vehicles sold later on by original owners as well as imported new vehicles that later find their way to the used vehicle market.

What is interesting is that Chinese brands have been available on the South African market, in some form or another, for nearly two decades. However, some brands have come and gone and come back again! Chery, MG, and Geely are some of those brands that were available over a decade ago, disappeared for a while, and are now coming back stronger. Chery is back with a bang and was the fourth overall best selling auto group in South Africa for July and August in new vehicle sales, only behind Toyota, Suzuki, and VW. MG is back and made a good start last month, entering the top 20, and Geely is set to relaunch in South Africa soon. So, whilst some brands have come and gone, others have returned stronger than ever, with product portfolios that rival the very best Japan, Europe, and Korea have to offer — and often at more appealing prices.

In a tough economic environment where everyone is tightening their belts, this competitive pricing edge has not gone unnoticed by South African consumers, whose preferences are gradually shifting. Autotrader SA adds that whereas brand cachet was once a concern, many buyers are now prioritising value over other aspects (such as brand and prestige), and demand more from their cars, such as safety, luxury features, and technology, at a decent price. Several Chinese brands have taken advantage of this and have infiltrated the market with great success, with all brands showing increases in YoY sales.

The more established brands — such as Haval, Chery, and BAIC, for example — saw growth of +33%, +14%, and +16%, respectively. Autotrader SA says that while sales are an essential metric for demonstrating the growing success of Chinese cars in the South African used car market, other indicators suggest that these brands are poised for even more growth locally.

To show the growing interest even further, AutoTrader SA data shows that the surge extends beyond sales. Searches for Chinese cars on AutoTrader climbed by +67% year-on-year, reflecting growing interest from a relatively smaller starting point. Enquiries increased by +81%, and unique advert views have doubled, showing that attention for these brands is accelerating even as their overall presence in the market remains emerging.

“‘This is more than a sales increase; it’s a structural shift in the market,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “Chinese automakers have found a way to deliver exceptional value at a fraction of the traditional cost, offering roughly 80% of what buyers expect for only 60% of the price. That’s changing what South Africans consider possible when it comes to affordability and technology. The bigger story is how this is reshaping competition and setting new benchmarks that all automakers will have to meet.”

Apart from their value proposition, several Chinese automakers, including Chery, BYD, Omoda, and Haval, are introducing well-priced electrified vehicles to the market. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are typically more expensive than their traditional petrol and diesel counterparts, placing them out of reach for many South Africans. Chinese  influence in this segment is now evident, with the Haval H6, Haval Jolion, and GWM Tank 300 ranking among the top ten best-selling hybrid (HEV) cars between January and June 2025.

AutoTrader adds that as more electrified options reach the market, it will be interesting to see how the Chinese cut themselves a bigger slice of the pie. The increase in searches suggests it will not be long before this happens. BYD, for example, which currently sells PHEV and EV models like the Shark 6 bakkie and Dolphin in South Africa, saw a notable +463% increase in searches. Jaecoo — which recently introduced the J7 SHS plug-in hybrid — saw searches rise by 218%, highlighting strong interest for these new brands, even from a modest initial audience.

Data shows that enquiries on BYD vehicles, however, saw a remarkable +1,369% increase, showing that consumers are becoming increasingly open to the idea of owning not only a Chinese car, but an electrified one. However, Autotrader also asks what this new wave of interest in Chinese cars means for legacy automakers? Should they panic?

While they shouldn’t rest on their laurels, the data shows that they still have the overwhelming support of consumers, as evidenced by sales, searches, and enquiries, with no Chinese vehicles breaching the top 10 lists in any of these respective categories. While sales of Chinese cars have increased, local consumers still compare them to models and brands that have historically remained strong sellers. 

The data indicates a broader trend in South Africa’s motoring landscape. Chinese brands are increasingly meeting consumer demand for accessible pricing, contemporary design, and technological features, and their growing presence suggests they will play a greater role in shaping the country’s used car market in the years to come. How is the market evolving in your country? Please let us know in the comments section.

Performance of Chinese brands on AutoTrader in H1 2025 (January–June)