LOCAL PRODUCTION OF JETOUR T-SERIES BEGINS IN ‘27
At Auto China 2026 recently, Jetour announced plans to begin local vehicle production in South Africa from 2027, marking a significant boost for the country’s automotive sector and its role in global manufacturing.
Jetour International president Ke Chuandeng confirmed that production will include the popular T-Series models, which will be built at the former Nissan plant in Rosslyn recently acquired by Chery. The move follows Chery South Africa’s transition from importer to local manufacturer, with plans to produce 50 000 vehicles annually by mid-2027 and create more than 3 000 jobs across manufacturing and the supply chain.
Although Jetour and Chery operate as separate brands locally, Jetour forms part of the broader Chery Group globally. The announcement comes after strong local demand for the Jetour T1 and T2, with more than 4 500 units sold since their launch in October 2025.
Auto China 2026 was the largest show to date, featuring over 1 450 vehicles and more than 180 global debuts. This year’s exhibition highlighted the rapid shift toward electrification, hybridisation and intelligent mobility, trends already reflected in Jetour’s South African lineup with the recent introduction of its T1 and T2 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models.
Jetour South Africa vice president Nic Campbell said local production of the T-Series positions South Africa as a key part of the brand’s global strategy, underscoring the growing influence of Chinese automakers in the domestic market.
