Jetour Auto is set to make a grand entrance in SA
The Jetour Auto nameplate is the latest manufacturer of Chinese origins to announce that it will enter the Mzansi market in September, with 40 dealerships across Mzansi.
As a marque launched in 2018 by the Chery Group, the Jetour brand has sold over a million vehicles globally across its five product lines and given the significant impact Chinese car manufacturers are making in Mzansi, Jetour is well-positioned to become a leader in monthly sales charts.
The brand has always operated independently in the global market, with dedicated R&D, manufacturing facilities, sales and aftersales channels, and it will also operate independently in the South African market.
The marque plans to introduce the X70 Plus and Dashing models initially and it targets sales of 800 units monthly in the first year of operation. Also, the brand promises to prioritise enhanced service quality and availability of parts, thanks to a parts warehouse in Kyalami that can house up to 82,000 parts.
“We are excited to mirror Jetour’s worldwide success in South Africa and become the top choice for travel vehicles amongst local customers,” Johnny Fang, Managing Director of Jetour SA.
With over 27 years of experience and 26,000 patents globally, Jetour leverages extensive data analytics and advanced manufacturing technology to produce safer, more comfortable, intelligent, and eco-conscious vehicles.
Speaking of the X70 Plus SUV, it’s a bigger version of the regular X70 and it’s available in a 5-seater, 6-seater and 7-seater configuration. While local specifications are yet to be confirmed, overseas markets get 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines with 116kW and 147kW, respectively. Each engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox, a 6-speed DCT, or a 7-speed DCT for the latter engine.
We expect the Dashing compact crossover variants to get the same engine lineup but add a PHEV (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) model at a later stage. This will likely be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine and a 3-gear DHT gearbox (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) with 240kW and 565Nm plus a range of up to 100km between charges.
As a brand positioned to offer affordable yet feature-rich vehicles in the local market, the Jetour brand will compete with other budget-friendly vehicles by emphasizing its Chinese engineering and design, which often includes features typically found in more expensive models.
