{"id":846547,"date":"2025-12-23T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=846547"},"modified":"2025-12-23T06:48:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T04:48:59","slug":"7-new-car-brands-that-launched-in-south-africa-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/846547\/7-new-car-brands-that-launched-in-south-africa-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"7 new car brands that launched in South Africa in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over the course of 2025, several new car brands have launched in South Africa, all coming from Asia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese brands, in particular, have been entering South Africa at a rapid pace over the past few years, and 2025 followed this trend closely, with six manufacturers from the People\u2019s Republic making their local debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only exception was Tata Motors, which marked a high-profile return to South Africa\u2019s passenger car segment after an extended absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to data from vehicle analytics firm Lightstone, these launches are part of a broader shift in South Africa\u2019s vehicle sales landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New brands\u2014mostly Chinese\u2014are steadily increasing their market share, while traditional players are being forced to rethink their strategies to keep pace with changing consumer preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lightstone\u2019s data showed that in 2000, the top six selling light vehicle brands in South Africa were Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Opel, Mazda and Ford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, they controlled between 60% and 70% of the market for much of the following decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2010 and 2020, that figure dropped to between 50% and 60%, before settling at around 50% from 2020 to 2023. By 2024, however, their combined market share fell below 50%, a level it has yet to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNew brands such as Chery, Omoda, Jetour, JAC and Beijing have steadily grown from just 0.5% in 2022 Q2 to 10% in the two most recent quarters of 2025,\u201d said Andrew Hibbert, Data Analyst at Lightstone Auto. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese new entrants offer modern tech, competitive pricing and long warranties, helping them move from niche to mainstream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is highlighted by the fact that Chery’s 2025 market share alone exceeds the combined share of Nissan, Mazda, and Opel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hibbert added that shifts are also evident among traditional brands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Toyota, Volkswagen and Ford remain in the top six, Suzuki, Isuzu and Renault have replaced Nissan, Opel and Mazda among the country\u2019s strongest sellers compared to those reporting sales in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new car brands that launched <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Against this backdrop, 2025\u2019s new brand launches arrived with a wide variety of products and technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first to enter the market was MG, which launched at the start of the year with three vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These included the ZS crossover, the HS SUV, and the all-electric Cyberster roadster. MG has since expanded its range with the MG3 hatchback and the ZS Pro crossover, broadening its appeal across multiple segments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tata Motors officially re-entered South Africa\u2019s passenger car market in August with four new models showcasing the brand\u2019s latest design language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its initial lineup includes the Tiago hatchback, Punch crossover, Curvv crossover coupe, and the Harrier midsize SUV, marking a renewed push into the local market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another notable arrival was Leapmotor, which stands out from other Chinese brands due to its affiliation with Stellantis, the global automotive group behind Opel, Peugeot, Citro\u00ebn, Jeep and Alfa Romeo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leapmotor vehicles are distributed through the existing Stellantis dealer network in South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, it offers a single model, the C10 family SUV, which uses a range-extended electric vehicle powertrain. In this setup, a petrol engine acts solely as a generator, charging a battery that powers the electric motors driving the wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changan and its new-energy sub-brand Deepal arrived in late October with four models. Changan launched the Alsvin sedan, CS75 Pro SUV and Hunter bakkie, while Deepal introduced the S07 electric crossover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hunter REEV bakkie added another electrified option to South Africa\u2019s growing alternative-energy lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly thereafter, Geely entered the market with two SUVs. These are the fully electric E5 and the plug-in hybrid E5 EM-i.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These models represent only the first phase of Geely\u2019s plans, with the company also intending to introduce its Zeekr, Farizon and Riddara sub-brands locally in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rounding out the year was Dongfeng, which made its South African debut in November with the electric Box hatchback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brand has also confirmed plans to launch the 007 sedan and the 06 SUV, further adding to the expanding selection of new vehicles competing for local buyers\u2019 attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seven car brands that launched in South Africa in 2025 are listed below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MG<\/h2>\n\n\n\n