Jameel Motors enters South African Market with distribution of Changan Automobile vehicles

• Jameel Motors to distribute Changan Automobile SUVs, sedans, pickup vehicles and New Energy Vehicles in South Africa.
• Changan Automobile is a leader in automotive innovation, meeting South African market demand with advanced vehicle offering.
• Jameel Motors is building on 70 years of automotive excellence and a strong track record as an independent international automotive distributor.
• South Africa represents largest automotive market in Africa.

Johannesburg, South Africa; March 31, 2025: Jameel Motors, a leading provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands, and Changan Automobile, have signed an agreement to distribute sports utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans, pickups, and new energy vehicles (NEVs) in South Africa.

This marks a new market entry for Jameel Motors. The South African market represents a significant long-term investment opportunity, given that it is the largest automotive market in Africa, with new vehicles sales totaling over 500k in 2024, as well as the growing demand for affordable vehicles with the latest technology. In January 2025 the new passenger car market saw an increase of 18.3% cars sold year on year. Jameel Motors’ commitment includes creating jobs and developing local dealerships, contributing to the economic growth of the country.

Jameel Motors will initially focus on the distribution of CHANGAN and DEEPAL products. CHANGAN offers sedans, SUVs and pickup combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, while DEEPAL focuses on NEVs. Both DEEPAL and CHANGAN vehicles are ideal for South Africa’s diverse terrain and road conditions. Building on its strong track record, Jameel Motors is well positioned to meet local customer preferences. Vehicles are planned to be available for purchase in Q4 2025.

Jasmmine Wong, CEO – Mobility, Abdul Latif Jameel stated: “We are thrilled to announce Jameel Motors’ market entry to South Africa, especially as we do so with Changan Automobile, a forward-thinking automotive player with exceptional products. We are looking forward to driving long-term growth in the market and empowering drivers across South Africa with expanded and superior personal mobility choices.”

XIAO Feng General Manager, Changan Automobile Middle East and Africa Business Unit stated: “This is a new milestone for our business in South Africa. Changan Automobile, as a leading Chinese automotive company, has been committed to building a world-class automotive brand. We are confident that, through the strategic cooperation with Jameel Motors, we will be a key player in the South African market.” 

Jameel Motors in South Africa will be headed by Marinus Venter, an accomplished professional with 18 years of experience leading automotive brands. Having been at the forefront of introducing new and innovative vehicle models to the market for the likes of Nissan and Mercedes-Benz Vans, Venter brings with him extensive expertise in after-sales, marketing, business planning, product management, customer service, and parts. His strategic vision and dedication to innovation have firmly established him as a leader in the automotive industry.

Marinus Venter, Country Manager, Jameel Motors South Africa stated: “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. 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 and deliver a positive market experience.” 

Changan Automobile is one of China’s four largest automotive groups, with a presence in 70 countries, sales of 2.7 million units (2024) and a strong focus on safety, innovation and technology. This includes more than 18,000 dedicated engineers and technicians working across R&D centres in 10 cities and 6 countries. Changan Automobile has established itself as a leader in automotive innovation, consistently ranking in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study since 2018. Renowned for its award-winning designs, including the prestigious Red Dot Award, Changan Automobile embodies excellence and craftsmanship, setting a benchmark for quality and design among global automotive manufacturers.

Jameel Motors represents some of the world’s most recognised commercial and passenger vehicle brands and has operations in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and most recently Australia. This agreement marks another milestone as Jameel Motors continues to expand internationally and harness innovation for the future of mobility.

About Jameel Motors

Jameel Motors is a leading provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands. With international operations in more than 10 countries including: the UK, UAE, Türkiye, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Japan, China, Australia, Monaco and South Africa. Jameel Motors represents some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands, including Toyota, Lexus, BYD, GAC Motor, MG Motor, Farizon Auto and Hino. Jameel Motors’ deep market knowledge as an independent international distributor enables its OEM partners to grow closer to their customers, driving both market share and sustainable growth with high customer satisfaction and loyalty.

For more information, please visit jameelmotors.com and changanmotor.co.za.

About Changan Automobile

Changan Automobile is one of the “Big Four” Chinese automakers. It has 34 production facilities in 14 production bases around the world. It’s global R&D network connects 10 cities in six countries (Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Dingzhou and Hefei in China, Turin in Italy, Yokohama in Japan, Birmingham in the UK, Detroit in the US, and Munich in Germany), and brings together the talents of more than 18,000 engineers from 31 countries and regions. It has had a presence in the Middle East and Africa market since 1994, with cumulative sales of 400,000 units. To further expand its global footprint, in 2023 the company launched its Vast Ocean Plan. With the mission to “lead sustainable mobility and benefit human life”, Changan stays committed to the transformation to a sustainable motility innovator. We will keep contributing to society and meeting peoples’ need for a better life.

For more information, please visit: https://www.globalchangan.com/