The most popular Chinese car in South Africa — with 60 units sold every single day
The Chery Tiggo series is currently the most popular Chinese vehicle in South Africa. On average, around 60 units are sold every day across the country.
It has become a familiar sight on the roads and a strong competitor in the compact SUV market, where buyers are looking for affordable vehicles with modern features.
In October 2025, the Tiggo 4 range sold 1,725 units, making it the third best-selling passenger vehicle in South Africa for the month.
This means it outperformed several long-established brands that have been active in the market for decades.
The popularity is not limited to a single month. In the third quarter of 2025, 4,899 units were sold. Monthly sales have stayed steady, with 1,604 units in July, 1,568 in August, and 1,727 in September.
The Tiggo 4 range includes 13 different versions, covering entry-level, commercial, and hybrid options.
This wide variety means buyers can choose a model that fits their budget without losing essential features. The Tiggo 4 LiT, one of the most popular models in the lineup, starts at R269,900.
It offers features such as touchscreen infotainment, safety technology, and a modern interior, making it appealing to buyers who want value for money without paying premium prices.
Chery has also introduced a hybrid version, the Tiggo Cross CSH Hybrid. It has become one of the best-selling hybrid vehicles in South Africa, selling 122 units in August 2025.
The hybrid is advertised with a fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km and is priced at R439,900, making it the most affordable hybrid currently available in the country.
As interest in hybrid and electric vehicles slowly grows in South Africa, this has helped strengthen Chery’s position.
Other models in Chery’s lineup are also gaining traction, though at a smaller scale. The Tiggo 9 sold 41 units in September 2025, the Tiggo 8 sold 121 units, and the Tiggo 7 sold 323 units.
Massive growth and major plans in South Africa
These models show that Chery is expanding into larger and more expensive vehicle categories as the brand becomes more familiar to consumers.
The strong sales performance of the Tiggo 4 range has also encouraged Chery to consider building vehicles locally.
The company has confirmed that it is conducting feasibility studies to determine whether it should establish a manufacturing plant in South Africa.
Chery also owns the Omoda and Jaecoo brands, both of which have also seen growing demand in the country. They are expected to sell more than 11,000 vehicles locally this year.
This marks a significant shift from Chery’s earlier experience in South Africa. The company first entered the market in the 2000s but withdrew after struggling with negative perceptions of Chinese vehicle quality.
When Chery returned in November 2021, the situation was different. The Tiggo 4 Pro, which launched at the time, was better built and supported by a more organised dealer and service network.
Chery expanded quickly. It introduced the Tiggo 8 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro in early 2022. Within a year and a half, the company had sold more than 5,300 SUVs. Sales doubled from 8,013 vehicles in 2022 to 16,110 in 2023.
In October 2024, the company launched the Tiggo Cross, which helped it reach almost 20,000 sales in 2024. For comparison, the brand sold only 1,297 vehicles in 2014.
The success of the Tiggo 4 shows how much consumer attitudes have changed. Many South African car buyers are now more open to Chinese brands, especially when the vehicles are affordable and offer a strong list of features.
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
Chery Tiggo Cross
Loading ...