Chery South Africa has confirmed that the Tiggo 4 range will be the first model produced at its newly opened Rosslyn manufacturing plant, with local production scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027.

Both internal-combustion-engine (ICE) and hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) derivatives are planned for production at the facility, placing Chery’s highest-volume model line at the centre of its transition from vehicle importer to local manufacturer.

The decision follows a strong first half of 2026 for the Tiggo 4 range, which comprises the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo Cross. A total of 11,322 units were sold between January and June, making it the country’s second-best-selling passenger vehicle overall during the period.

The range recorded 1,625 sales in January, 1,809 in February, 1,888 in March, 1,871 in April, 2,059 in May and 2,070 in June. This represents year-on-year growth of 39% over the first six months of the year.

Its local production will allow Chery to build on this demand while developing a manufacturing programme around a model already well established among South African motorists.

Local production begins with a proven model

The Tiggo 4 Cross will be the first vehicle to roll off the Chery Rosslyn production line during the plant’s initial ramp-up phase in the third and fourth quarters of 2027. A planned production total of 15,000 units has been set for this period, with further growth expected as operations mature.

Producing both ICE and HEV derivatives will allow Chery to serve the continued demand for conventional petrol vehicles while supporting the growing number of South African buyers considering more fuel-efficient, electrified alternatives.

Final derivative specifications, production volumes and market-introduction details will be announced closer to the start of local manufacturing.

The Rosslyn plant, which has been operating as an automotive manufacturing facility since 1963, will undergo upgrades to its facilities, equipment and utilities in preparation for Chery production.

“At Chery, we live by one philosophy: ‘In Somewhere, For Somewhere, Be Somewhere.’ It means wherever we invest, we commit. We become part of the local economy, part of the community and part of the country’s future,” said Yin Tongyue, Chairman, President and founder of Chery Automobile Co., at the plant’s opening.

“Today proves that commitment. We have moved from being an importer to a manufacturer — and from a market participant to a long-term partner in South Africa’s industrial story.”

Supporting jobs, suppliers and skills development

Chery has committed to retaining all 692 employees currently associated with the Rosslyn operation, preserving decades of local automotive manufacturing experience. The project is also expected to create nearly 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, the supply chain and supporting services.

The company has begun an extensive localisation programme and is engaging with Tier-1 suppliers as it works towards its local-content targets for 2028. The programme is intended to expand the domestic supplier network, create opportunities for South African component manufacturers and support the transfer and development of technical skills.

Over the longer term, Chery plans to develop Rosslyn into a broader automotive and industrial hub encompassing production, research and development, supply chain operations, and skills development. The investment also supports the company’s ambition to establish South Africa as a base for its manufacturing, export and operational activities across the African continent.

Future production opportunities under consideration

Alongside preparations for Tiggo 4 Cross production, feasibility studies are underway to determine whether a light commercial vehicle, including a bakkie, could be considered for local production at a later stage.

The studies will assess factors including South African and regional demand, the business case for production, plant requirements and the readiness of the local supplier network. No decision has yet been made on the addition of a light commercial vehicle to the Rosslyn production programme.

Chery Family Care support

Vehicles produced at Rosslyn will also benefit from the Chery Family Care ownership offering, including the Trans-national Warranty Programme introduced in 2026. Subject to the original warranty agreement and applicable market regulations, customers can obtain warranty-related support from authorised Chery service centres in countries where the brand has an official presence.

The confirmation of the Tiggo 4 Cross as Chery’s first locally produced vehicle marks the next step in the model’s South African story. Having established itself as the country’s leading SUV range, it will now play a central role in Chery’s local manufacturing, employment and supplier-development plans.