Warning to South Africans thinking of buying a Chinese car

Chinese vehicles have made significant inroads into the South African car market. However, prospective buyers are warned that some might not survive. 

This is due to the intense competition in the affordable market, and those who buy brands that don’t meet the cut will face poor resale values and concerns over parts. 

This is the warning from WeBuyCars CEO Faan van der Walt, who cautioned South Africans to think twice before making the final decision. 

Chinese car brands have rapidly gained traction in South Africa, offering an appealing mix of affordability and high-tech features.

As of May 2025, there are 41 new passenger Chinese cars to choose from, with prices ranging from as low as R269,900 to as much as R1.4 million. 

However, speaking to CapeTalk, Van der Walt warned prospective buyers that a new and highly competitive environment has disadvantages.

While many Chinese vehicles are doing well, not all are likely to survive in the South African market, which could have costly consequences for consumers.

This warning comes as competition in the affordable vehicle segment intensifies, with global economic pressures making price the top priority for many South African buyers. 

As Van der Walt points out, affordability now drives purchasing decisions, and that’s precisely where Chinese automakers excel. 

“They offer good specs, modern technology, and competitive pricing, which makes them attractive alternatives to traditional brands,” he said.

An analysis by BusinessTech revealed that vehicles from Asia, including those from Chery and Suzuki, have experienced significant growth over the past decade. 

In 2014, these two car brands collectively sold 7,699 units. This has increased by a whopping 887% to 76,020 in 2024. 

This is primarily thanks to Suzuki’s impressive growth, which increased sales from 6,402 in 2014 to 56,109 (776%) in 2024. 

While Suzuki almost hit 60,000 sales last year, Chery grew 1,435% from 1,297 to 19,911 in 2024.

A word of caution

In early 2025, Suzuki overtook the Volkswagen Group to become South Africa’s second-biggest car brand after Toyota, according to Naamsa.

This boom has also extended to the used car market. Van der Walt confirmed that second-hand Chinese vehicles are selling quickly. 

“Our Chinese brands that we sell as used vehicles do really well. They don’t stick around for long,” he said. 

“They sell quickly because, just as there’s demand for them as new vehicles, there’s also a demand for them as used vehicles.”

He explained that Chinese vehicles are hitting the sweet spot for buyers looking for value.

“From a second-hand value perspective, I would say most of these vehicles are already in a price bracket where there are plenty of buyers around,” he added.

 “They don’t have steep depreciation curves. You could typically buy a high-end Chinese vehicle for around R450,000 to R500,000.”

Van der Walt noted that the price puts them in direct competition with popular models like the Toyota Corolla or VW Polo, making them very appealing to value-conscious consumers. 

“It’s very competitive if you consider that’s the price you pay for a high-end Corolla or Polo,” he said. However, Van der Walt highlighted the risk of such a rapidly expanding market. 

With many Chinese carmakers only recently entering the South African market, long-term support, parts availability, and resale values for some brands remain uncertain. 

“You might end up purchasing a vehicle with a very poor resale value because they’re no longer represented in South Africa,” he warned. 

“It’s fantastic to have a variety of brands available, and we’re getting good value for our money,” Van der Walt added.

“However, just as we’ve seen certain European car manufacturers try to establish themselves here and ultimately fail, I’m certain that some Chinese manufacturers will also give up at some point.”

“So, stick with the known Chinese brands for now until these other brands build a reputation as being reliable and around for the long run.”

He also noted that South Africans have historically associated these brands with poor quality, poor resale value, and generally inferior quality, but that’s no longer the case.

Still, he urged South Africans to be cautious. With so many Chinese manufacturers trying to gain a foothold in international markets, not all will survive. 

Van der Walt says the key is not to be swayed purely by price. “Think twice before making that final decision.”

“If a brand fails to take off or exits the country, owners could be left with a car that’s hard to maintain, and even harder to sell.”