Changan Returning To South Africa With New Range Of Suvs, Sedans, Bakkies And Nevs

The Changan automobile brand is returning to South Africa thanks to a distribution agreement with Jameel Motors and the new products on the radar are a far cry from the small bakkies offered previously.

The Chinese brand is best known in South Africa for its Chana Star compact bakkie line-up, and a budget-friendly but somewhat unloved hatchback called the Benni, but the relaunched Changan brand will have a far more sophisticated line-up to tempt value-conscious buyers who are already spoilt for choice.

Jameel Motors said it plans to launch a range of SUVs, sedans, bakkies and New Energy Vehicles NEV from the fourth quarter of 2025.

Full model details and pricing have yet to be released, but the brand is expected to launch the CS75 SUV as well as the Alsvin sedan, Hunter bakkie as well as the all-electric Deepal S07.

The CS75 is a midsize SUV, measuring 4.7 metres in length, and powered by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine that delivers 131kW and 265Nm. Previously referred to as the X7, it was renamed CX75 after its most recent facelift, possibly for copyright reasons. Overseas it is offered in five-seat and seven-seat formats.