Chinese carmakers are rapidly reshaping South Africa’s automotive market, with recent sales figures showing they are outselling Japanese rivals by a wide margin.
Data from Naamsa covering February, March and April reveals that Chinese brands sold 29 478 units compared with 5 647 from Japanese competitors such as Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Subaru and Mitsubishi. This equates to a ratio of five to one in favour of the Chinese entrants.
The strength of individual Chinese models highlights the shift. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro recorded 1 809 sales in February, 1 888 in March and 1 871 in April, outperforming the combined totals of Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru in each month.
GWM’s P-Series bakkie also posted strong numbers, while Jetour’s Dashing SUV added consistent volumes. By contrast, Nissan’s Magnite was the strongest Japanese performer, but its figures were modest compared with the leading Chinese models.
Japanese brands did find support from Indian-manufactured vehicles, particularly Toyota and Suzuki. Together, they contributed 72 370 units over the three months, giving Japanese brands an overall advantage with a ratio of 2.5 to 1 against Chinese competitors. Toyota alone accounted for nearly 50 000 units, while Suzuki added close to 17 000.
Despite this, legacy Japanese names such as Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru are under pressure. Their combined volumes are being eclipsed by individual Chinese nameplates, signalling a significant change in consumer preference. European brands are also feeling the impact, while Korean manufacturers appear to be holding steady.
Industry data shows how the market has evolved. Around 2000, Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Opel, Mazda and Ford dominated sales. By 2025, the top five brands were Toyota, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Ford. The Chery Group, which includes Chery, Jetour, Omoda, Jaecoo and iCAUR, is now competing for a podium position, challenging Suzuki and Volkswagen for a place among South Africa’s top three.
The figures underline a decisive trend: Chinese brands are no longer fringe players but central competitors reshaping South Africa’s automotive landscape.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
