If you think you are seeing more Chinese vehicles on the road, you are correct.

Chinese vehicle brands accounted for 9% of all passenger and light commercial vehicles (light vehicles) sold in South Africa this year, until the end of July, up from 2% in 2019, says research group Lightstone Auto.

Sales of non-Chinese-owned brands, but with the vehicles produced in China, have also increased, from 2% in 2019, to 10% in 2024.

Lightstone Auto says five Chinese makes reported sales to naamsa | the Automotive Business Council across the light-vehicle market in 2019.

They made up 12% of the total number of light-vehicle brands and 2% of overall new light-vehicle sales that year.

Stablemates GWM and Haval were responsible for 96% of that number.

Fast-forward to 2024, and nine Chinese light-vehicle makes now report sales to naamsa, making up 21% of the overall count of light-vehicle brands and 9% of all light vehicles sold to end-July this year.

GWM and Haval remain significant players in this space, says Lightstone Auto, but they have now been joined by Chery, and together these three brands have sold 88% of Chinese-branded vehicles in the domestic market this year to end-July.

Chinese brands have also grown their sales in the commercial vehicle market bigger than 3.5 t gross vehicle mass.

In 2019, three brands shared in 7% of overall sales, compared with four makes contributing 21% in 2024.

The number of brands and related sales are not the only area where China has seen growth over the last five years, notes Lightstone Auto.

In 2019, vehicle imports from China accounted for 2% of all light vehicles sold in South Africa, with Volvo – although owned by Geely in China, it is still considered a Swedish brand – being the only non-Chinese make imported from China.

By 2024, this picture has changed, with 12 makes – including Ford, Kia and Peugeot – imported from China, making up 10% of all light-vehicle sales in South Africa.

* Not all Chinese brands report their sales to naamsa.