JOHANNESBURG – OMODA & JAECOO South Africa has announced that the JAECOO J5 will form part of the core production line-up of Chery Group’s first South African manufacturing facility, following the official groundbreaking of the facility.
This announcement marks an important step in OMODA & JAECOO’s local growth journey, with JAECOO J5 playing a key role in the brand’s long-term plans for the South African market.
The JAECOO J5, which has been on sale since September 2025, has already established itself as the brand's key model locally.
The JAECOO J5 will be produced in South Africa in ICE and NEV form, offering local customers a wide range of powertrain choices while positioning the model as an important part of OMODA and JAECOO's local product strategy.
For OMODA & JAECOO South Africa, the inclusion of the JAECOO J5 in its locally produced line-up reflects the brand's confidence in the market and its focus on vehicles that suit local customer, road conditions and ownership needs.
“JAECOO J5 directly addresses the needs of South African drivers,” said Hans Grayling, General Manager of OMODA & JAECOO and iCAUR South Africa.
“While offering customers the practicality, technology and versatility they expect from a modern crossover, the addition of NEV models gives buyers even more choice as the market continues to evolve.”
Since its launch in South Africa in September 2025, the JAECOO J5 has recorded sales of 2,630 units, underscoring its early momentum in the local market.
JAECOO J5 has provided impressive sales performance and positive user feedback across multiple international markets due to its superior product strength.
In Thailand, the J5 BEV topped the number of SUV registrations for six consecutive months from November 2025 to April 2026.
In Indonesia, its momentum continues to be strong, with cumulative sales of approximately 14,000 units from January to May 2026, leading the local BEV SUV segment by a wide margin.
In May, the model ranked among Indonesia's top five best-selling cars and took the top spot in electric vehicle sales.
In the same month, the JAECOO J5 BEV became Australia's second best-selling electric vehicle.
Meanwhile, SA Vice President Paul Mashatil delivered a keynote speech at the Chery International Factory Acquisition Celebration in Tshwane, Gauteng.
The Vice President was welcomed by Gauteng Premier Panyanza Lesufi, Tshwane Mayor Nasifi Moya and Chery International Group President Charlie Chan.
The acquisition by Chery International represents an important transition in ownership and a new chapter in the future of facility operations.
It also supports economic growth, job creation and localization.
“Today, we celebrate Chery Automobile's confidence in South Africa and reaffirm our commitment to industrialization, investment attraction and economic growth,” said Vice President Mashatil.
“As I said when I met Chery Automobile leaders in China a week ago as part of my working visit to strengthen bilateral trade and industrial investment, South Africa is open to investment, ready for innovation and committed to building an economy that provides opportunity for all.
“Together, we can shape a future defined by growth, industrial excellence and shared prosperity.”
The vice president said Chery's Roslyn plant must not only be a vehicle that rolls off the production line, but a vehicle that touches and changes the lives of nearby communities and South Africa as a whole.
