WeeklySA_AdminNEW LINE-UP: Product range starting next month with the Tiggo 4 Pro sub-compact SUV
By Ali Mphaki
That Chery is back in South Africa should not be misconstrued as part of those “bring back my lover” adverts seen all over the show.
But if South Africa were a woman, the return of the Chinese brand has all the trappings of a love being always better the second time around. In case you suffer some amnesia, it was in 2008 when Chery Automobile made history as one of the first Chinese vehicle manufacturers to enter the local market.
Under the Imperial banner (now Motus), it sold a wide range of vehicles – from the small, entry-level QQ (later the QQ3), the J2 and J3 hatchbacks, to the Quantum-lookalike P10. It was a somewhat acrimonious break up between the Chinese manufacturer and its Mzansi customers those many years ago, with egg faced customers left frustrated due to lack of customer care and glaring quality issues.
But now that a wholly-owned subsidiary of China’s top vehicle export brand for the past 18 years is here, this broadens the company’s presence to more than 80 countries. Chery South Africa is now completing the appointment of the first thirty national dealers and preparing to introduce the first vehicles – expected here by November.
What does the company offer this time around, you may ask. The company has been hard at work testing its vehicles in local conditions and recruiting the best dealers in key areas across South Africa. In addition, Chery SA has been growing its parts storage and distribution capabilities beyond what it can currently offer.
“By entering the market directly, customers will be able to experience the best Chery has to offer, both in customer service and in our next-generation of products, Lui says. “If our experience in other global markets is anything to go by, then customers will be blown away.” Says Tony Lui the newly appointed Executive Deputy General Manager for Chery South Africa.
