Chery South Africa has confirmed that the Tiggo 4 range will be the first model line to come out of its newly opened Rosslyn manufacturing plant, with local assembly scheduled to get under way during the second half of 2027.
The facility will produce both internal-combustion-engine and hybrid-electric vehicle derivatives, placing the brand’s highest-volume nameplate at the centre of its shift from vehicle importer to local manufacturer.
A planned production total of 15 000 units has been set for this period, with further growth expected as operations mature.
Producing both ICE and HEV derivatives will allow Chery to serve ongoing demand for conventional petrol vehicles while also catering to the growing number of South African buyers looking at more fuel-efficient, electrified options.
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The Rosslyn plant, which has been operating as an automotive manufacturing facility since 1963, will undergo upgrades to its facilities, equipment and utilities in preparation for Chery production.
At the plant’s opening, Chery Automobile chairman, president and founder Yin Tongyue said the company’s philosophy is to be present and committed wherever it invests. He added that becoming part of the local economy, community and the country’s future was central to that approach, and that the move from importer to manufacturer marked a long-term partnership in South Africa’s industrial story.
Chery has committed to retaining all 692 employees currently associated with the Rosslyn operation, preserving decades of local automotive manufacturing experience. The project is also expected to create nearly 3 000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, the supply chain and supporting services.
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The company has begun an extensive localisation programme and is engaging with Tier-1 suppliers as it works towards its local-content targets for 2028. The programme is intended to expand the domestic supplier network, create opportunities for South African component manufacturers and support the transfer and development of technical skills.
Alongside preparations for Tiggo 4 Cross production, feasibility studies are under way to determine whether a light commercial vehicle, including a bakkie, could be considered for local production at a later stage. The studies will assess factors including South African and regional demand, the business case for production, plant requirements and the readiness of the local supplier network. No decision has yet been made on the addition of a light commercial vehicle to the Rosslyn production programme.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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