Saudi Arabia’s Jameel Motors announced its entry into the South African automotive market on Monday.
The company has signed a distribution agreement with China’s Changan Automobile. This marks the first venture into South Africa for both companies.
Jameel Motors will distribute Changan’s range of vehicles, including SUVs, sedans, pickups, and new energy vehicles.
South Africa represents a significant automotive market in sub-Saharan Africa.
New vehicle sales exceeded 500,000 units in 2024, fueled by a rising demand for budget-friendly vehicles equipped with modern technology.
Changan joins a growing list of Chinese automakers establishing a presence in South Africa.
These include Chery, BYD, Great Wall Motor, and BAIC Motor. These companies are leveraging their competitive pricing to attract South African consumers.
Jameel Motors, a division of Saudi Arabia’s Abdul Latif Jameel Group, will initially focus on distributing Changan and Deepal models.
The companies anticipate that these vehicles will be available for purchase in the fourth quarter of this year.
The initial lineup will feature the Deepal S07 electric SUV, the CS75 Pro SUV, the Hunter pickup truck, and the Alsvin sedan.