Jameel Motors Teams Up with Changan to Challenge SA Auto Market

In a surprising and significant development for Mzansi’s automotive landscape, Jameel Motors has announced its entry into the country through a new distribution agreement with Chinese automaker Changan Automobile. The partnership, announced earlier this week, will bring a range of SUVs, sedans, bakkies, and new energy vehicles to South African consumers starting in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The move represents Jameel Motors’ first foray into the South African market, which stands as the largest automotive market in Africa with over 500,000 new vehicle sales recorded in 2024. The timing appears strategic, as South Africa’s new passenger car market saw an 18.3% year-on-year increase in January 2025.

Under the agreement, Jameel Motors will distribute both CHANGAN combustion engine vehicles and DEEPAL new energy vehicles. The company has emphasized that these vehicles are specifically selected to handle South Africa’s diverse terrain and road conditions.

Leading Jameel Motors’ South African operations will be Marinus Venter, who brings 18 years of experience with major automotive brands including Nissan and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Venter’s background spans after-sales, marketing, business planning, and customer service – experience that will be crucial as the company establishes itself in a market dominated by established players.

“I am honoured to join a business that is building on 70 years of automotive excellence, as we introduce CHANGAN and DEEPAL vehicles to South Africa,” Venter stated. “By leveraging Jameel Motors’ extensive experience and Changan Automobile’s renowned focus on safety, quality, and technology, I believe we can effectively meet the diverse automotive demands of South African drivers.”

Changan Automobile is no small player in the global automotive industry. As one of China’s four largest automotive groups, the company sold 2.7 million units in 2024 and maintains a presence in 70 countries. Its reputation for innovation is backed by a network of R&D centers spread across 10 cities in 6 countries, employing more than 18,000 engineers and technicians.

For Jameel Motors, which currently operates in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, the South African expansion represents more than just a new market entry. The company has committed to creating jobs and developing local dealerships, positioning its investment as a contribution to South Africa’s economic growth.

Jasmmine Wong, CEO of Mobility at Abdul Latif Jameel (Jameel Motors’ parent company), described the partnership as an opportunity to drive “long-term growth in the market and empowering drivers across South Africa with expanded and superior personal mobility choices.”

The agreement marks another step in Changan’s international expansion strategy as well. XIAO Feng, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s Middle East and Africa Business Unit, called the deal “a new milestone for our business in South Africa,” expressing confidence that the partnership would establish Changan as a key player in the South African market.

As established automotive brands face increasing competition globally, this partnership signals that South Africa’s automotive market is becoming an important battleground for international players looking to establish new footholds in growing markets.

With vehicles expected to be available for purchase in late 2025, consumers will have to wait to see if the combination of Jameel Motors’ distribution experience and Changan’s vehicle technology will successfully challenge the market’s current dynamics.

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.