Sales of the Chinese Chery passenger vehicle range has averaged 356 units a month since the brand's introduction to the South African market in June, says Chery South Africa MD Brett Soso.

"We are very pleased we have managed these numbers in a declining local passenger car market."

McCarthy executive director in charge of vehicle imports and distribution Jolyon Nash says the vehicle retailer, which distributes the Chery brand in South Africa, anticipated sales of 300 to 350 units a month when the low-cost Chery was launched locally earlier this year, and that exceeding this target in the current tough market conditions is "very pleasing".

Chery will not escape the current market turmoil unscathed, though, adds Nash, as McCarthy "imports Chery in dollars".

He says the company is in the same position as other vehicle importers - even if it imports the brand from China - and that the weakening rand is placing pressure on vehicle pricing.

He says McCarthy is "concerned about the sharply deteriorating rand".

However, Nash believes the Chery, positioned as a low-cost vehicle range, should be able to maintain its price advantage over other vehicles.

Chery will expand its offering to include the seven-seater V5 in the second half of next year, and the J1 minihatch in the first half of next year.

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