Cape Town – Chinese automaker Chery plans to begin production at a South African plant it is acquiring from Nissan by the end of 2027, including the manufacture of electrified vehicles.
According to Reuters, the Rosslyn facility will be upgraded over the next 12 to 18 months, with the company considering producing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-powered vehicles alongside traditional models.
“We will try to modify the plant at full speed and we hope that by probably the end of 2027 we’re going to start the SOP (start of production),” the report quoted Chery International Executive Vice President Charlie Zhang as saying on the sidelines of a conference.
Chery, which has grown into a top 10 seller in South Africa since re-entering the market four years ago, also aims to build a local supplier base and use the plant to export vehicles across Africa and Europe.
The investment is part of the company’s global expansion strategy and reflects its long-term commitment to South Africa’s automotive industry and economic development.
