Cut-price electric Chery Q preview

The Chery Q is a compact crossover EV with big intension in South Africa. Backed by a Chinese manufacturer that’s quietly muscled its way to number two in South African passenger car sales, the Chery Group just took over occupancy of the former Nissan factory in Rosslyn, Pretoria.

Officially arriving only in September 2026, the Chery Q signals an all-important next phase for the Chinese giant. Expansion and diversification. While still to be confirmed, the entry-level Comfort derivative should be priced around R350 000, climbing to R400 000 for the Elite. We took it for a short drive this week in Cape Town. And we can confirm it will win over many new EV converts with its silent, easy-going ways …

CHERY Q

A single rear-mounted motor produces 90 kW and 115 Nm, driving the rear wheels. South African cars get a 42.7-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, claiming a 400 km range. However, where already sold, reports suggest the Chery Q delivers something closer to 300 km in real-world driving. DC fast charging takes the battery to 80% in around 15 minutes. And if you preorder, buyers get a home wallbox thrown in for free.

The pictures might make it look small and cutesy, but at 4 195 mm long, with a 2 700 mm wheelbase, it’s a cleverly packaged, compact EV. Therefore, you get 375 litres of boot space, expanded to 1 450 litres with the rear seats folded. And don’t forget your 70-litre front trunk, or frunk, because there are no noisy, oily gubbins to worry about up front.

CHINESE GIANT

Locally, the Chery Group has stopped being a curiosity. Combine Chery, Omoda & Jaecoo, iCaur, Lepas and Jetour and you get 6 072 units sold in June 2026. Voila, that puts it ahead of both Suzuki (5 321) and the Volkswagen Group (4 964). Moreover, Chery alone overtook GWM in July to become the country’s top-selling Chinese marque, moving 14 593 units in the first half of the year, up nearly 25% year-on-year.

Then there’s the much-talked-about acquisition of the former Nissan plant in Rosslyn. Chery officially took over occupancy on 3 July 2026. It’s understood the manufacturer retained all 692 existing staff, promising roughly 3 000 more jobs once production starts rolling by mid-2027. Targeting 50 000 units production annually (models TBC), it’s clear Chery is no longer testing the waters … it just bought the pool.

But what do you think? Are you excited to see the Chery Q and the like entering South Africa? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …