Chery opens Rosslyn plant in South Africa with OMODA and JAECOO rollout

Chery Auto has officially opened its Rosslyn Plant in Pretoria, marking its shift from importer to local manufacturer in South Africa. The company says the upgrade will preserve 692 jobs, support nearly 3,000 more across the supply chain, and strengthen OMODA and JAECOO’s regional expansion.

Why it matters: - Chery Auto’s Rosslyn opening marks a bigger manufacturing push in South Africa, not just a sales expansion. - The move gives OMODA and JAECOO a local production base in a market where Chery says it is one of the fastest-growing automotive groups. - The plant is meant to anchor jobs, supply chains, skills development and regional exports in southern Africa.

What happened: - Chery Auto officially inaugurated the Rosslyn Plant in Pretoria on July 3, witnessed by senior officials from China and South Africa. - The ceremony included South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya and China’s ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng. - Chery Chairman Yin Tongyue and other senior executives attended alongside about 350 guests. - OMODA and JAECOO were positioned as core global brands supporting the industrial upgrade and market rollout.

The details: - The Rosslyn Plant was originally built in 1963 and was acquired by Chery Auto from a foreign company. - Chery Auto said it will retain all 692 factory employees. - The company expects the plant to generate nearly 3,000 jobs upstream and downstream in the industrial chain. - The facility will be fully upgraded and renovated before production starts in the middle of next year. - Full production is expected to reach annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles per shift. - Chery Auto is targeting an initial 40% localization rate by 2028. - The company plans to develop the site into a hub combining R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, skills training and global reach. - Chery Auto also plans to make South Africa its regional operation center for southern Africa. - The opening is part of a broader plan to build a full Africa industrial chain ecosystem, from raw materials to finished products and renewable-energy cycles. - The diversified footprint spans passenger cars, commercial vehicles, smart agricultural machinery, renewable energy photovoltaics, mineral resources, robots and circular economy businesses. - AiMOGA Robotics deployed the humanoid robot Mornine and robotic dog Argos at the event. - AiMOGA robots have been used in more than 50 countries and over 100 real-world scenarios. - Chery Auto said it will work with the International Union for Conservation of Nature under the “Cherish the Nature” framework on biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and community livelihood projects in South Africa. - Chery Auto said it has pledged $12 million to UNICEF-backed global education projects since 2023, including science and innovation education in South Africa. - Programming and robotics courses supported by Chery Auto are being rolled out across South Africa.

Between the lines: - The Rosslyn plant gives Chery a deeper local footprint at a time when Chinese automakers are competing for share in South Africa’s SUV and new-energy vehicle segments. - The company is tying manufacturing to social and environmental initiatives, which can help build local acceptance as well as brand loyalty. - Positioning South Africa as a regional center suggests Chery wants the country to serve as both a production base and a gateway to broader African markets.

What's next: - The Rosslyn Plant is scheduled to begin production in the middle of next year after renovation and upgrades. - Chery Auto will continue its localization plan as it works toward the 40% target by 2028. - OMODA and JAECOO are expected to deepen their South African presence through local manufacturing, local R&D and localized services. - The company is likely to expand its broader Africa ecosystem across manufacturing, energy, robotics and community programs.

The bottom line: - Chery is using Rosslyn to turn South Africa into a manufacturing and regional-expansion hub, with OMODA and JAECOO as the brands leading that push.