Festival of Motoring 2025: A showcase of Chinese automotive innovation in South Africa

(Photo courtesy of Great Wall Motors)

The 2025 Festival of Motoring (FOM), held from Aug. 28 to 31 at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, marks a defining moment for Chinese automotive brands in South Africa. No longer seen as fringe players or newcomers, brands like Great Wall Motors (GWM) and Chery South Africa are taking center stage, pushing boundaries in technology, design, and electrification. FOM 2025 offers a platform not just for product exhibition, but for full immersion with test drives, performance challenges, and off-road experiences giving the public a hands-on look at the future of mobility.

Great Wall Motors is set to impress with three dynamic zones, including a flagship exhibition featuring models like the Tank 500 Black Edition, Shan Hai Pao Black Edition, and the Haval H6GT PHEV. A dedicated F1 track experience will highlight the brand's hybrid performance credentials, while the self-drive and 4x4 zones will allow visitors to explore the capabilities of models such as the Tank 300 Diesel, Haval Jolion Pro HEV, and Haval H7. With rising consumer interest in hybrid and off-road vehicles, GWM's presence at FOM 2025 reflects both its product depth and its ability to connect with the evolving tastes of South African drivers.

(Photo courtesy of Great Wall Motors)

Since its historic entry into South Africa in 2007, Great Wall Motors has remained the only Chinese automaker with an unbroken presence in the market. Its early days were marked by skepticism, with Chinese cars often dismissed for their affordability at the expense of quality. But GWM has systematically overturned those perceptions, particularly after the 2017 launch of the Haval H2, which sparked what the media dubbed "Great Wall fever." The success of that launch, followed by the P-Series Power Pickup in 2020 and the youth-focused Haval Jolion, signaled GWM's commitment to both innovation and long-term growth in the region.

GWM's new energy strategy has set it apart as a leader in electrification. From the Haval H6 HEV to the award-winning ORA Good Cat, the company has invested early and broadly in hybrid and electric mobility. In 2024, the Shan Hai Pao HEV won Overall Champion at the South African Pickup of the Year Awards, and 2025 saw further expansion with the GWM Pao 2.4T diesel and the Tank 300 2.4T diesel, the brand's first diesel off-road SUV in South Africa. These moves reflect a comprehensive powertrain strategy covering gasoline, diesel, HEV, PHEV, BEV, and hydrogen that positions GWM not just as a vehicle manufacturer, but as a mobility solutions provider for a rapidly evolving African market.

(People's Daily Online/Liu Chang)

As the only Chinese automaker with an 18-year continuous presence in South Africa, GWM has moved from market pioneer to market shaper. With deep investments in localization, innovation, and sustainability, the brand now serves as a blueprint for how Chinese automotive firms can succeed abroad. Its partnerships with local institutions, such as donations to technical colleges and collaborations with the South African Automobile Association, reflect a grounded approach to community integration.

Chery South Africa enters the 2025 Festival of Motoring with a clear message: electrified driving should be accessible to everyone. With the debut of its Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) lineup, Chery will showcase a full spectrum of hybrid vehicles, including the Tiggo 7 CSH, Tiggo 8 CSH, and the all-new Tiggo 9 CSH. The Tiggo 9, available in FWD Pinnacle and AWD Vanguard variants, leads with innovation, offering electric ranges of up to 160 km, fuel consumption as low as 1.4 L/100 km, and a total range of 1,400 km. It also made history as the first vehicle in Africa to undergo a real-world dual-vehicle crash test demonstrating Chery's serious focus on safety and quality.

Chery's full CSH lineup will be available for test drives at FOM 2025, giving visitors firsthand experience of the brand's hybrid performance, comfort, and safety features. Also on display will be the Tiggo Cross CSH, South Africa's most affordable hybrid at R439,900 ($24,858), offering 150 kW of power and efficient fuel consumption of 5.4 L/100 km. According to Verene Petersen, Chery South Africa's national brand and marketing manager, 2025 marks a pivotal year in the brand's electrification journey. By integrating hybrid technology across segments and price points, Chery is helping to democratize green mobility for South African families, professionals, and first-time hybrid buyers alike.

(People's Daily Online/Liu Chang)

The growing momentum of Chinese automotive technology in Africa is unmistakable. From GWM's high-performance hybrids and diesel 4x4s to Chery's accessible plug-in hybrids for families, these brands are collectively redefining what value, quality, and innovation mean on the continent. The Festival of Motoring 2025 is not just a celebration of cutting-edge vehicles, it's a preview of the continent's automotive future powered increasingly by Chinese engineering, consumer insight, and global ambition.