Chery, China’s largest auto exporter, continues to bowl over consumers, commentators and other stakeholders in both the South African and global markets.
This week, the verified global sales statistics for Chery and other vehicle brands were published, which show that Chery continues to outperform in these markets.
According to these statistics, Chery sold 1.23 million new models in 2022. Of these, more than 450 000 units were exported from China, making Chery the country's most prolific vehicle exporter, thus giving it a growth rate in international sales of 67.7%.
In China, Chery ranked second overall with domestic sales growth of 28.8%, which significantly exceeds the industry average of 2.1%.
To add to this impressive achievement, Chery reported in January that it hit a new global monthly sales record of 101 379 vehicles and an export record of over 50 000 units in a single month. This is the eighth month that the brand sold more than 100 000 units in a month, and it points to another record year in 2023.
“South Africa has made a significant contribution to Chery’s global sales success,” says Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery South Africa.
“We became a top 10 vehicle brand after just eight months in the country and sold over 10 000 units in the full calendar year. This is a new record for a new vehicle brand in its first year in South Africa, and it supports our customer-first approach of offering exciting vehicles at affordable prices to South African customers.”
According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (naamsa), Chery South Africa reported 8013 units sold in 2022. This number was composed of sales of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (4622 units), the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (2084 units) and the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro (1307 units). It is assumed that the claim of “over 10 000 units” includes internal sales and models never recorded on the register.
JayJay Botes, National Sales Manager for Chery, says: “Our customer-centric focus is the reason our dealer footprint now spans every province in South Africa. We currently have 76 appointed dealers to better support our growing customer base and to improve accessibility to this amazing brand.”
The latest model to join the South African line-up is the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
According to a Reuters report, China's automotive sector faces an unprecedented crisis beneath its outward success. Despite becoming the world's largest car exporter and producing global leaders like BYD and Geely, the industry is trapped in a destructive spiral threatening widespread bankruptcies.
Europe's automotive industry has issued a unified call for the European Union (EU) to recalibrate its green transition strategy, with leading manufacturers and suppliers expressing growing concerns about the feasibility of current electrification timelines and regulatory frameworks.
South African business sentiment deteriorated further in the third quarter of 2025, falling one point to reach 39, well below the long-term benchmark of 42 points, as punitive US tariffs took their toll on exporters, Reuters reported on Wednesday
