Changan has announced plans to expand its dealer footprint across South Africa following record sales of more than 200 units during May.
The company emphasises that increasing the number of dealerships remains central to its long-term strategy in the country. In May, six new dealerships were opened in key regions, strengthening customer access to sales, service and support.
The new dealerships include Changan Hillcrest, Changan Silverton, Changan Hyde Park, Changan Umhlanga, Changan Klerksdorp and Changan Shelly Beach.
This continued expansion plays an important role in building customer confidence, says the Chinese manufacturer. For buyers, a growing dealer network means greater accessibility, improved convenience and the reassurance that support is available beyond the initial purchase.
The good sales result marks an encouraging milestone for the brand as it continues to establish itself in the local market. This progress is supported by a growing model line-up, an expanding dealer network and increasing customer confidence.
Changan’s expansion is set to continue in June, with a further eight new dealerships planned. While the specific locations will be announced in due course, the growth reflects the brand’s ongoing investment in South Africa and its commitment to building a sustainable national presence.
The accelerated dealer roll-out supports Changan’s ambition to become a meaningful player in the local automotive landscape, with the infrastructure required to serve customers across major urban centres and regional markets.
Changan officially re-launched in South Africa in October 2025 through a partnership with the Saudi mobility group Jameel Motors. Previously introduced by an independent entity between 2007 and 2013, the brand was known as Chana and sold budget passenger cars and small commercial vehicles. Today, its product range is markedly different, featuring state-of-the-art new energy and high-tech vehicles.
The May sales performance comprised 164 passenger vehicles and 36 light commercial vehicles, demonstrating traction across both key areas of the business. Changan also achieved a top-three placement in electric vehicle sales during May 2026, with 11 units sold. This highlights the market’s growing appetite for new-energy mobility and the increasing willingness of South African customers to consider future-focused alternatives from emerging automotive brands.
For a relatively new entrant in the South African automotive market, the May result represents more than a monthly sales figure. It signals that customers are beginning to recognise Changan as a credible, competitive and committed automotive brand, Changan claims.
Charging time remains a worry for many South Africans considering an electric vehicle, who still see it as a disruption rather than a quick stop at a filling station. That view is starting to shift.
The winners of the 2026 Automotive Business Council | naamsa Accelerator Awards were announced at the recently held Auto Week 2026, which took place in eThekwini, KZN.
When Cobus Coetzee (photo) accepted the opportunity to join the Morgan Group in Upington, he had to weigh up more than a new position. The move meant exchanging the West Coast’s cooler climate and seaside lifestyle for the Northern Cape’s desert heat, while taking responsibility for a multi-franchise operation spread across several premises.
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Sarah Redshaw
When Cobus Coetzee (photo) accepted the opportunity to join the Morgan Group in Upington, he had to weigh up more than a new position. The move meant exchanging the West Coast’s cooler climate and seaside lifestyle for the Northern Cape’s desert heat, while taking responsibility for a multi-franchise operation spread across several premises.
Dealer excellence was recognised at the Mahindra South Africa Dealer Conference Awards Evening, where dealerships were acknowledged for their performance across retail sales, commercial vehicles, customer satisfaction, aftersales and other areas of the business.
To turn the fortunes of a dealership around from one not firing on all its cylinders, so to speak, to one of the top five dealerships in the country and now the top Dealer of the Year, is testimony to what can be achieved with dedicated leadership.
