Support clean technicia’s work through subscription or strip.
Auto -trader data shows that sales of sugar cars have increased by 89 % in the first half of 2025.
South Africa’s used car market activity is experiencing an increase in interest rates. The latest automothed SA report says that after cutting two interest rates in 2025 – one in January and the other in May, a total of 50 twenty points – borrowing has become more cheaper, so consumers are offering relief. The reduction in interest rates has helped increase sales of used cars from January to June 2025, compared to the same period last year. During this period, a total of 181,206 used vehicles sold for sales in the total sales, which sold R75.85 billion, are equal to 7 % over the previous year.
Interestingly, this is the changing dynamics of South Africa’s automotive sector. In a market where American brands like German, Japanese, European, South Korean, and even Ford and General Motors dominate, Chinese brands are starting to increase their presence. Once Automoto world’s under -dugs, Chinese car makers have proved the power to prove itself a power, which has raised concerns to many established players in the South African car market.
According to a new report by the Auto Trader SA, the new sales of cars for Chinese brands have caused the sky, and the same trends are clear in the used car market. The latest mid -year report of the automotor Chinese brands sales revealed 89 % In the first half of 2025, BYD (+637 %), Omoda (+99 %), and Jaco (+168 %). Although these percentage are amazing, they reflect growth from a relatively smaller small base, as these brands are still emerging players in the South African automotive market.
The good thing about the changing automotive landscape is that these Chinese players, such as Cherry and GWM, are not afraid to bring their plug -in vehicles to a market where plugs are very slow. This plug is also playing an important role in re -emergence of hybrids, though the market is coming from a very small base. More PHEVS was sold in South Africa in South Africa than the whole 2024! The introduction of new models from Cherry, Omoda, Jaco, and Hall has played a major role in this. Cherry PHEV made 27 % of all PHEVs sold in South Africa in H1 of 2025. It is important to note that South Africa does not allow import of used vehicles. South Africa’s used vehicles are driven by locally deposited new vehicles, which later sell new owners as well as imported new vehicles that find their way to the later used vehicles market.
Interestingly, Chinese brands have been available in the South African market for almost two decades, in some form. However, some brands came and left and came again! Cherry, MG, and wet are some of the brands that were available a decade ago, disappeared for a while, and now they are returning firmly. Cherry has returned with an explosion and was only the fourth best -selling auto group in South Africa, behind Toyota, Suzuki, and VW in South Africa for July and August. The MG is back and has a good start last month, they have entered the top 20, and the wet is soon to be launched in South Africa. So, when some brands arrived and gone, others have returned more firmly than ever before, with product portfolies that offer the best Japan, Europe and Korea – and often at more charming prices.
In a tough economic environment where everyone is tightening their belts, the acquisition of this competitive prices has not been focusing on anyone by South African consumers, whose priorities are slowly changing. Auto Trader SA added that where the brand ketchot was a concern once, many buyers are now preferring value than other aspects (such as brand and dignity), and demanding more than their cars, such as safety, luxury features and technology, at a decent price. Many Chinese brands have taken advantage of this and have successfully infiltrated the market, in which all brands indicate an increase in YOY sales.
For example, maximum established brands – such as Hall, Cherry and BAIC – saw the growth of +33 %, +14 %, and +16 % respectively. Auto Trader SA says that while sales are an essential matriculation to demonstrate the growing success of Chinese cars in South Africa’s used car market, other indicators suggest that these brands are ready for even more development.
To show the growing interest even more, auto -trader SA data shows that the increase is beyond sale. Chinese cars searches on auto trader climbed by +67 % year -on -year, which reflects a relatively smaller’s growing interest from the small point. Inquiries have increased +81 %, and the unique advertisement ideas have doubled, which shows that the focus of these brands is intensifying even as their overall presence in the market is emerging.
“‘This is more than an increase in sales. This is a structural change in the market, ”workMained George MiniCEO of Auto Trader. “Chinese car makers have found a way to provide extraordinary price in a part of the traditional cost, which is expected only 60 % of the price of buyers. It is changing. When it comes to cheap and technology, it is considered to be South Africa possible. This is a bigger story.
In addition to their proposal, many Chinese car makers, including cherry, by BD, Omoda, and Haul, are introducing good price electric vehicles in the market. Hybrids and plugin hybrids are usually more expensive than their traditional petrol and diesel counterparts, making them remove many South Africans. The Chinese influence in this segment is now clear, between January and June 2025, the Hall H6, Haval Julian, and the GWM tank are ranked 300.
The auto trader added that as more power options reach the market, it would be interesting to see how the Chinese cut a large piece of pie. The increase in searches shows that there will be no longer time before this happens. Bye, for example, which currently sells shark 6 Baki and Dolphin in South Africa, saw a significant +463 % increase in searches. Jaco-Joe recently introduced the J7 SHS plugin hybrid-the search has increased by 218 %, which highlighted strong interest for these brands, even from a slight initial audience.
Statistics show that in inquiries about BYD vehicles, however, a significant +1,369 % increase has been seen, which shows that consumers are rapidly open to the idea of a Chinese car, but also a power -powered owner. However, the auto trader also asks what this new wave of interest in Chinese cars means what is meant for the heritage makers? Should they panic?
Although they should not rest in their honor, data shows that they still have tremendous support from consumers, which is proof of sale, search and inquiries, in which no Chinese vehicles violate any of these 10 lists of these categories. Although sales of Chinese cars have increased, local consumers still compare them to models and brands that are historically strong sellers.
The data indicates a wider trend in South Africa’s motoring landscape. Chinese brands are meeting consumer demand for rapidly accessible prices, modern designs and technical features, and their growing presence shows that they will play more and more role in the country’s used car market in the coming years. How is the market developing in your country? Please tell us in the comments section.
H1 2025 (January – June) in Chinese brands performance on auto traders
Sign up for Clean Technica’s Weekly Subsic, Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter, and Follow us on Google News!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ripxadsgcs
Is a tip for a clean technicia? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our Clean Tech Talk Podcast? Contact us here.
Sign up for our Daily Newsletter for 15 new clean -tech stories a day. Or sign up for our weekly One on the top stories of the week if it happens many times a day.
Clean Technica uses adjacent links. See our policy here.
Clean Technica’s comment policy
