Jetour to Build T-Series Locally in SA by 2027

Jetour has announced that its T-Series models will be produced locally in South Africa from 2027, marking a significant development for the country’s automotive industry.

The news was shared at Auto China 2026 by Ke Chuandeng, President of Jetour International, and follows Chery’s acquisition of the Rosslyn manufacturing plant from Nissan.

Chery South Africa’s transition from importer to manufacturer is expected to deliver 50 000 units annually by mid-2027, creating more than 3 000 jobs across manufacturing and supply chain sectors. For Jetour, this means the increasingly popular T-Series, launched in South Africa in October last year, will begin local production at the Rosslyn facility.

Sales of the Jetour T1 and T2 have exceeded expectations, with more than 4 500 units sold since their introduction. The announcement strengthens Jetour’s position in the South African market, while also aligning with broader industry trends towards electrification and intelligent mobility.

Jetour has already introduced plug-in hybrid versions of the T1 and T2, known as iDMs, which are available locally. Their arrival reflects the growing importance of hybrid and electric technologies, a theme that dominated this year’s Auto China exhibition.

Nic Campbell, Vice President of Jetour South Africa, highlighted the significance of the announcement: “This announcement to produce the Jetour T-Series locally positions South Africa as an integral part of Jetour’s global ambitions and underscores the growing influence of Chinese automakers in our market. This is undoubtedly a very exciting time for Jetour.”

He added: “In just 18 months since launching independently in South Africa, we have introduced four internal combustion models and two PHEV models, with further upgrades and new models planned for this year and next. This latest step into local production really marks a significant next phase in our journey.”