South Africa’s automotive manufacturing landscape is preparing for another significant development. Chery Group South Africa has confirmed plans to produce the new Omoda C4 at its Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, with local assembly scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027.
For South African motorists, the arrival of the C4 will happen in two stages. The model is expected to reach the local market as a fully imported vehicle in early 2027, ahead of the transition to local production later in the year.
The first vehicles assembled at Rosslyn will be hybrid models. Petrol and battery-electric versions are planned to join the range at a later stage, giving buyers more powertrain options as the local market evolves.
Tony Liu, CEO of Chery Group South Africa, confirmed the rollout strategy.
“The first roll-out plan for Omoda at the Rosslyn plant will be the Omoda C4 hybrid,” said Liu. “The C4 is the latest Omoda on our newest platform. We will also have hybrid and BEV versions, with the BEV version and petrol derivative introduced at a later stage.”
Omoda C4 Marks a New Chapter for Local Production
The planned production of the Omoda C4 represents an important step in expanding Omoda’s presence in South Africa. It also forms part of Chery Group’s wider move towards local vehicle manufacturing.
Alan Quinn, Chief Innovation and Product Officer at Cars.co.za, believes local assembly could help make the model more accessible to South African customers.
“The Omoda C4 brings Omoda’s newest platform and design language to South Africa, and building it at Rosslyn allows us to offer customers a more accessible, locally assembled product,” he said.
“With hybrid, petrol and electric versions planned, the C4 will give South African buyers greater choice as the market continues to evolve.”
The combination of a new platform, local assembly and multiple powertrain options places the C4 at the centre of Omoda’s expanding local ambitions.
Meet the Omoda C4
The vehicle was first unveiled as the C3 in April 2025 before being renamed the C4 for the South African market.
Positioned just below the Omoda C5, the C4 measures 4,424 mm in length. This makes it slightly longer than its sibling.
The model will initially arrive as an imported vehicle in early 2027, allowing South African buyers to encounter the C4 before local assembly begins.
The subsequent move to local production is expected to give the brand a locally assembled offering within its growing range.
Hybrid First, With Electric and Petrol Models to Follow
Hybrid technology will lead the Omoda C4’s local production journey.
The first locally assembled models will use hybrid powertrains, with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and petrol derivatives scheduled for introduction later.
This phased approach will broaden the range over time, giving South African buyers additional options as Chery Group develops its local manufacturing programme.
However, the company has not specified launch dates for the later petrol and fully electric variants in the supplied announcement.
Rosslyn Prepares for a Growing Model Range
The Omoda C4 will form part of a broader group of vehicles earmarked for assembly at Rosslyn.
The planned model range includes the Chery Tiggo 4, Jaecoo J5, Jetour T-Series and the forthcoming Chery Grootman double-cab bakkie.
The facility, formerly operated by Nissan, was acquired earlier in 2026 and is currently being recommissioned. Production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027.
The addition of the C4 therefore forms part of a wider manufacturing strategy rather than a standalone model announcement.
What Local Manufacturing Means for South Africa
Chery Group’s expansion into local production marks a significant shift from importing vehicles towards manufacturing them in South Africa.
The move carries potential implications for local assembly, supplier development and job creation within Gauteng’s automotive sector.
As the Rosslyn facility prepares to restart production, the planned introduction of several models points to a broader ambition to establish a stronger manufacturing presence in the country.
For Omoda, the C4 will be among the models leading this next chapter. South African buyers will first see the imported version in early 2027, followed by locally assembled hybrid vehicles from the third quarter.
With petrol and fully electric derivatives planned for later introduction, the Omoda C4 is set to expand its place in the local market while contributing to Chery Group’s wider manufacturing ambitions.
About Cars.co.za
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