In what is sure to be a significant boost for Mzansi’s automotive manufacturing landscape and everyday motorists, Chery South Africa has finally pulled back the curtain on its mother brand plans at the historic Rosslyn plant. The Tiggo 4 Cross will roll off the production line starting in 2027, joining Jetour T1, T2 and Jaecoo J5 products already set for local assembly. This is more than just another factory announcement; it’s a clear signal that Chery is here for the long haul.
The Tiggo 4 Cross is aimed at the bustling (some might say “bursting at the seams”) compact SUV segment where South Africans do most of their daily driving. With its raised ride height, stylish crossover looks, and practical boot space, it seems right for our reality.
As such, we expect localised production to bring down costs, improve parts availability, and potentially create new jobs in the Pretoria area. Rosslyn of course, has a proud history, not just because of Nissan that has sold its Plant to Chery, but also because of BMW and other automotive OEMs and suppliers that have settled in that area over the decades.
Chinese brands like Chery have matured rapidly, delivering good engines, comprehensive safety suites, modern infotainment, and connectivity that rivals established players, very often at prices that leave more money in the pocket. Local production should sharpen that edge further, with potential benefits in warranty support and service networks. I will be watching with keen interest how pricing is affected by this move, if at all. Surely a locally-produced Chery Tiggo 4 Cross should be even cheaper than an imported unit?
Of course, success will depend on execution. Will build quality match the Chinese-build? Also, how will it stack up against the establishment?
Probably another big question is: will Chery also be manufacturing its own bakkie in Rosslyn, given the fact that bakkies sell so well in this country? That’s a question the manufacturer is currently not ready to answer, saying only that it is investigating such a possibility.
