South Africa’s car market is about to get a fresh shake-up as Jetour, a relatively new Chinese marque, opens its doors on Friday, 20 September 2024, with two SUVs ready to roll out. Established in 2018 under the expansive Chery Automotive Group umbrella, Jetour is now making its independent entrance into the South African market, unlinked to Chery South Africa or the "O&J" tag team of Omoda and Jaecoo.

Jetour’s arrival first caught the public eye when a dealership bearing its logo popped up in Centurion, Gauteng, ahead of any official announcement. The brand’s launch here is being spearheaded by a separate holding company from China, rather than its parent, Chery, emphasizing Jetour’s commitment to standing on its own two feet.

Behind the scenes, Jetour has been laying the groundwork for its big entrance. The brand boasts 40 dealerships across the country and has set up its headquarters and training facilities at the Kyalami racetrack in Midrand, Gauteng. The training centre is already busy preparing staff for after-sales support, ensuring a smooth rollout of Jetour’s impressive 10-year/1-million kilometre warranty policy on all its vehicles.

To keep South African customers happy, Jetour has invested R100 million in spare parts stocked at its Midrand HQ to avoid delays typical of imported components. “We’ve got the parts inventory ready, the dealer network is committed, and every step is being taken to ensure our customers are satisfied,” said Nick Campbell, Jetour South Africa’s newly-minted Vice President.

The initial lineup kicks off with two SUVs: the Jetour Dashing and X70 Plus. The Dashing slots into the competitive C-segment crossover market, squaring up against the likes of the VW T-Roc and Hyundai Kona. Internationally, the Dashing is offered with either a 1.5-litre or 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.5-litre unit delivers 115 kW and 230 Nm, while the 1.6-litre powerhouse churns out 145 kW and 290 Nm. These engines also power Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo models, bringing a familiar flavour to the performance.

Meanwhile, the X70 Plus is a step up in size, lining up against mid-sized SUV rivals such as the VW Tiguan, Ford Territory, and Toyota RAV4. It shares the same powertrains as the Dashing, both linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Jetour’s plans don’t stop there. The brand has already mapped out the next steps with two more SUVs, the T1 and T2, slated for 2025. In contrast to the city-slicking Dashing and X70 Plus, these T-badged models are rugged, off-road-ready SUVs with boxier, more muscular proportions akin to a Jeep or Land Rover.

While the T1 remains in the pre-production phase and hasn’t hit showrooms anywhere yet, the T2 is already on sale globally. It packs a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with 135 kW and 290 Nm of torque, ready to tackle tougher terrains.

Full specifications and pricing details for the new Jetour models will be announced closer to their respective launches in September 2024 and early 2025. As Jetour looks to carve out its niche in South Africa, the brand’s ambitious plans and robust after-sales strategy hint at a strong entry into the ever-competitive SUV market. Keep an eye out—this could be the start of something big.