Latest news with #ShannonGahagan
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Chery to launch new EV brand Icaur in South Africa in 2026
Icaur, a new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under China's Chery Group, has confirmed it will officially enter the South African market in the first quarter of 2026. The brand revealed its intentions following its recent debut at the 2025 Festival of Motoring. Image supplied Founded in 2023, Icaur positions itself as an expressive, lifestyle-driven EV brand that aims to deliver clean mobility without compromising on personality or design. Its local entry marks the Chery Group's continued investment in the region, and Icaur's first foray into the African market. 'As the world embraces a new era of clean mobility, South African motorists deserve access to electrified vehicles that are as expressive as they are intelligent,' says Shannon Gahagan, national brand and marketing manager at Icaur South Africa. 'Icaur brings a new energy to the market, combining advanced EV technology with a playful, user-centric spirit.' International traction, local intent Backed by Chery's global manufacturing and R&D resources, Icaur has gained attention internationally for its bold, retro-futuristic designs and tech-enabled platforms. In South Africa, the brand aims to offer accessible electric mobility while engaging younger, lifestyle-focused buyers. The brand is built around four global pillars: - Category innovation: Introducing new vehicle formats and user experiences - Playful co-creation: Allowing customers to personalise and influence product development - Emotional design: Blending nostalgic styling cues with modern functionality - Lifestyle ecosystem: Expanding beyond vehicles into gear, content and digital experiences Dealership plans under way Icaur South Africa is finalising its national retail strategy, with the first dealerships expected in key metros. The brand targets a network of 15 outlets by launch. It also plans to roll out lifestyle activations and product updates in the run-up to its market debut. 'South Africa is a country with a rich outdoor lifestyle, vibrant urban culture, and an increasingly energy-conscious mindset,' Gahagan adds. 'These are the communities Icaur is built for.' Details on the first Icaur models set for South Africa will be shared ahead of the 2026 launch. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Chinese brand iCaur to launch in South Africa - will its bold-looking SUVs be a breath of fresh air?
The iCaur V23 is a compact electric SUV with rugged looks. Image: Supplied And just when you thought the South African market could not possibly accommodate another Chinese vehicle brand, it's time to meet the iCaur. A product of the Chery Group, the iCaur vehicles are certainly not run of the mill, and South Africans will be able to experience them first hand when the brand launches locally during the first quarter of 2026. The brand is actually called iCar in China, but for obvious trademark reasons, it has been changed to iCaur for international markets. As a relatively new brand, established as an all-electric nameplate in China in 2023, iCaur aims to bring a more playful and user-centric spirit to the new energy vehicle market, says SA brand and marketing manager Shannon Gahagan. The local vehicle line-up has yet to be announced, but iCaur SA has released pictures of a boxy compact SUV called the V23. The brand also offers a larger (but also somewhat boxy) SUV called the iCaur 03 in some overseas markets, and interestingly, this vehicle has already been confirmed for South Africa as the Jaecoo J6. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The iCaur 03 is badged as the Jaecoo J6 in some markets. Image: Supplied The iCaur V23 boasts rugged looks and with a length of 4,220mm, it's not a great deal larger than the Suzuki Jimny 5-door. It is offered in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive guises, with respective power outputs of 100kW and 155kW. Customers abroad can also choose between two battery sizes, with the 59.9 kWh entry option enabling a claimed range of 400km and the larger 81.8 kWh unit allowing 550km. iCaur intends to create a whole lifestyle experience around the brand. Image: Supplied In addition to standing out through emotional design and creating new vehicle segments, iCaur is also aiming to create a lifestyle ecosystem of sorts, extending beyond the car to include gear, content and experiences. The South African importer is currently finalising its dealer network and aims to have 15 dealerships up and running by the time of launch. 'South Africa is a country with a rich outdoor lifestyle, vibrant urban culture, and an increasingly energy-conscious mindset,' Gahagan concluded. 'These are the communities iCAUR is built for.' South Africans will get their first taste of the new vehicles at the Festival of Motoring, to be held at Kyalami from August 29. IOL Motoring Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
TimesLIVE
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
What's behind the rise of Chinese vehicles in South Africa?
Amid rising living costs, South Africans are increasingly exploring more affordable vehicle options, with established and emerging carmakers responding to the demand differently. Several Chinese marques have entered the fray in recent years, drawing attention with extensive standard equipment lists, stylish designs and competitive pricing. However, questions around after sales support, parts availability and warranty coverage remain, particularly for those buying into relatively new brands. The typical vehicle warranty in South Africa is around five years/100,000km, though this can vary significantly depending on the vehicle segment and manufacturer. Some best-sellers, however, offer shorter coverage. Despite its high price point, the Volkswagen Polo comes with a three-year/120,000km warranty. Chinese brands have responded by offering more extensive coverage, with warranties reaching up to seven years or 200,000km. Brands such as Omoda & Jaecoo (O&J), Chery and Haval have rapidly expanded their presence, each seeking to capture a market share with competitive pricing and longer warranties. The entry-level Omoda C5 Style comes with a five-year/150,000km warranty, while the range-topping C9 offers a seven-year/200,000km warranty coverage. Similarly, BAIC's X55 lineup receives a five-year/150,000km warranty, though the model's service plan is optional. The approach has found a market among buyers, many of whom have long valued the extensive dealer networks of more established brands. Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota have long thrived in South Africa partly because of their wide-reaching dealer and service networks. Driving a Toyota through the more remote parts of the country rarely sparks concerns about breakdowns, given the likelihood of finding a nearby dealership. Chinese brands have made strides in building local networks, but some consumers consider the convenience of well-established service networks when choosing a vehicle. In April alone, 4,880 Chinese passenger cars were sold in South Africa, according to Naamsa. To put this into perspective, the figure marks a notable increase compared to six months before, when Chinese vehicle sales totalled 4,372 units. Image: Supplied When O&J entered the market in 2023, they had around 40 dealerships in South Africa. That number has grown to 50 service centres, with plans to grow to 64 in the coming years. While not as expansive as brands such as Toyota and Volkswagen, several Chinese brands have surpassed European luxury brands in terms of dealership footprint, specially as some are reducing their network due to challenges. Shannon Gahagan, national marketing manager for O&J South Africa, noted the growing service network. 'Our service network spans urban and rural areas, from Lydenburg and Ermelo to East London and Cape Town, and neighbouring countries such as Eswatini, Namibia and Botswana. While routine servicing is typically completed within the same day, mobile service options remain limited, depending on dealer policies and vehicle location,' she said. Parts availability is a critical factor for newer brands. O&J go through a daily analysis process that helps maintain a 98.4% fill rate for common spare parts, with a long-term goal of surpassing 99%. If a required part isn't in stock, air freight is used to minimise delays, delivering components within 15 to 20 days. Standard top-up shipments by sea can take up to 90 days to arrive. Ultimately the brand aims to hold stock locally for all components used in vehicle assembly, regardless of how frequently they're needed. Image: Supplied Early reliability data suggests some Chinese brands have kept warranty claims relatively low, which could build confidence over time. Gahagan noted O&J has a burn rate of around R140 per vehicle annually, lower than some established competitors, such as Hyundai, which reported approximately R380 per vehicle in September last year. In practical terms, this means fewer defect claims and fewer workshop visits. The complaint ratio for the marque's vehicles has yet to reach 0.5% of their car park, standing at only 0.3% or around 10,000 vehicles. The rise of Chinese car brands in South Africa reflects a growing shift toward more affordable vehicles without sacrificing key features. While after sales support and parts availability remain concerns, many brands are actively addressing the gaps with growing dealer networks and strong warranties. Chinese carmakers have made progress in establishing support infrastructure and showcasing reliability, closing the gap with more established brands from Europe, Japan, or Korea. However, as the market continues to evolve, long-term success will depend on maintaining the momentum while addressing the unique needs of local drivers.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
New Jaecoo J5 landing in South Africa soon - here's what to expect
The J5 shares a strong family resemblance with its larger J7 sibling. Image: Supplied The new Jaecoo J5 is set to reach South African shores during the third quarter of this year, Omoda & Jaecoo SA has confirmed. The company says the newcomer will bring the Jaecoo brand within reach of South Africans seeking a 'premium SUV experience' at a more accessible price point. The new J5 bears a strong resemblance to its larger J7 sibling, which itself has been praised for its elegant exterior lines, which many have equated to Range Rover models such as the Velar. Pricing has yet to be divulged, but we do know that it will slot beneath the J7, which currently starts at R549,900. Given that the similarly-sized and technically related Chery Tiggo Cross sells for between R399,900 and R449,900, it's likely that the majority of the J5 line-up will fall beneath the R500,000 mark. Jaecoo has confirmed that local J5 models will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 115kW and 230Nm. Smooth lines define the new J5. Image: Supplied It will be paired with a CVT gearbox and the vehicle will have various selectable drive modes, including 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Sport'. While in some overseas markets the J5 is offered with the J7's 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine, this is not known to be in the pipeline for South Africa, likely for cost reasons. ALSO READ: Omoda & Jaecoo confirm six new models for SA The local range is however, expected to grow to include plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants at a later stage. The interior boasts a best-in-class 13.2-inch vertical touchscreen with smart navigation, and wireless charging, while the optional panoramic sunroof is said to be the largest in the segment. Detailed local specifications have yet to be released, but O&J SA says it will be offered with options such as ventilated leather seats, automatic climate control and ambient lighting. Driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detection, among others. 'With its advanced safety features, versatility, and refined interior, the new J5 is designed to meet the needs of modern South Africans who want more from their daily drive,' said O&J SA's brand and marketing manager Shannon Gahagan. An interesting fact about the J5 is that it was purpose-designed for pet lovers. Its specially extended seats were designed with pets in mind, while the air conditioning system has a powerful filtration system that can isolate pet hair. Overseas, it is also offered with specially designed boarding steps and a pet feeding system, although it's not clear whether these features will be offered locally. South African details, including pricing, will be released closer to launch. IOL
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Jaecoo J7 SHS Hybrid SUV launching in South Africa this June: what to expect
The Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid is said to have a combined range of 1,200 kilometres. Jaecoo is a subsidiary of Chery, which sells the Tiggo 4, Tiggo Cross, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8. The Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid version of the J7 SUV is set to become the second Jaecoo nameplate to be launched locally and the first of several new and electrified models to be launched. Power As a hybrid powertrain, the J7 SHS is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 105kW and 215Nm and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor with 150kW and 310Nm coupled to a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery providing peak outputs of 255kW and 525Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Jaecoo claims an all-electric range of 90 kilometres with the battery reaching 30-80% when connected to a 40kW DC charger in 20 minutes. Consumption The J7 SHS plug-in hybrid is said to have a combined range of 1,200 kilometres on a tank of fuel, consuming less than 5l/100km. On a recent 1 100 kilometre journey between Cape Town and Gqeberha, the J7 SHS posted an average fuel consumption of 4.88l/100 km. 'The J7 SHS represents a significant step forward for the Jaecoo brand in South Africa,' said Shannon Gahagan, national brand and marketing manager for Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa. 'It brings together performance, efficiency and premium comfort in a way that meets the evolving needs of today's drivers.'
