The CEO of Chery South Africa, Tony Liu, says they have big plans to boost the automotive industry in South Africa as in June they will officially take over the factory that used to belong to Nissan, located in Rosslyn, Pretoria.
The company bought the firm following Nissan’s global announcement that it is trying to cut costs by shedding some of its assets, including manufacturing facilities.
Liu, who hosted a dinner with the media in Wuhu, China, this week where the Chery International Business Summit was held, said that they will be a company that will play a major role in South Africa because of their new firm.
“At the end of June, we will announce how much money we will invest and also reveal our plans. We are not only selling a few cars but our future puts the people of South Africa first. We will make a big contribution to empowering the community. I will also become a South African citizen like you,” said Liu.
He went on to say that South Africa and China can do a lot together.
“There is much more we can do in the automotive industry, not only at Chery but the entire industry. I am talking about new energy vehicles and the provision of parties by local companies.”
He said that they had met President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Deputy Paul Mashatile and they showed great happiness with their investment.
The meeting was hosted by government representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition, Naamsa, Automobile Association, WesBank and others.
He said they will build SUVs and will leave another line to produce a van.
In Australia, the Chery KP31 van was recently launched, which is expected to go on sale in the country at the end of this year or early next year.
Although he did not want to reveal much when asked by this newspaper, Jetour confirmed in a statement that it will also produce in this factory.
The CEO of Jetour International, which is also under Chery, Ke Chuandeng, announced that they will produce the T1 and T2 from 2027.
Liu said they don’t want to be proud of what they are doing, instead ‘we will remain humble and learn from companies like Toyota’.
Toyota has been manufacturing some of its cars such as the Hilux in Prospecton, Durban for years.