Chery Automobile has officially acquired Nissan's Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, South Africa, accelerating its African market layout. Meanwhile, the Vietnam plant's initial capacity of 30,000-60,000 units is about to start production, and the Turkey Samsun plant is expected to commence operations in Q4. Chery's overseas factory output in 2026 will total approximately 350,000 units, with a global manufacturing network taking shape.
Rosslyn Plant: The Strategic Pivot Point for Africa
Chery Automobile recently completed the acquisition of Nissan's Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, South Africa. Located on the outskirts of South Africa's administrative capital, this factory was one of Nissan's core manufacturing bases on the African continent.
The Rosslyn acquisition holds multiple strategic values for Chery:
Access to Nissan's mature vehicle production lines and quality inspection systems
Direct inheritance of Nissan's supplier network in South Africa and southern Africa
Utilization of South Africa's membership in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to辐射 the entire African market
Saving at least 18 months of construction time compared to building a new factory
South Africa, as Africa's most mature automotive market, has annual sales of approximately 500,000 units. Chery previously entered through complete vehicle exports; localized production will significantly reduce tariff and logistics costs.
The Eurasia-Africa Production Network Taking Shape
Chery's overseas factory layout demonstrates clear geographical coverage logic:
Factory | Location | Status | 2026 Capacity Plan | Coverage Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rosslyn Plant | Pretoria, South Africa | Acquisition Complete | 50,000-80,000 units | South Africa, Southern Africa |
Vietnam Plant | Northern Vietnam | About to Start Production | 30,000-60,000 units | ASEAN, Australia/NZ |
Samsun Plant | Turkey | Q4 Production Launch | 50,000-100,000 units | Middle East, Eastern Europe, Russia |
Almaty Plant | Kazakhstan | In Operation | 100,000 units | Central Asia, Russia |
Brazil Plant | Brazil | In Operation | 50,000 units | South America |
Overseas factory output in 2026 will total approximately 350,000 units. Combined with domestic exports, Chery's annual overseas sales target has been raised to 700,000 units.
The Localization Dividend of Overseas Factories
Chery's overseas expansion follows an upgrade path from "trade exports" to "local manufacturing":
Phase One: Complete vehicle exports to establish brand awareness and dealer networks
Phase Two: KD assembly to reduce tariffs and leverage local labor cost advantages
Phase Three: CKD and above to achieve deep localization
The Rosslyn plant directly enters Phase Three operation, producing core models like the Tiggo series and Omoda. The cost advantages of localized production will reduce end-consumer prices by 8%-15%.
For African dealers, this means shorter delivery cycles and more competitive procurement prices. Connecting with Chery's overseas division through platforms like EX1000.COM enables priority supply rights and customized vehicle configurations.
A New Phase in Global Competition
Chery's factory acquisition strategy represents a new paradigm in Chinese automaker globalization:
Rather than building from scratch, acquire and revitalize existing capacity
Leverage acquired brands' supplier relationships to accelerate localization
Use manufacturing localization to circumvent tariff barriers and exchange rate risks
This model is being adopted by peers like BYD and Geely. Over the next two to three years, more Chinese automakers are expected to enter emerging markets through acquisitions.
Chery's African layout also sends a clear signal: the globalization of China's automotive industry has evolved from simple product export to the comprehensive export of manufacturing capabilities and industrial ecosystems.
