- The Chery Tiggo 7 CSH has won the Motor Enthusiast People’s Choice Award at the 2026 Old Mutual Insure Car of the Year, with the public-voted accolade reflecting strong consumer support for the plug-in hybrid SUV.
- The award reinforces Chery’s growing momentum in South Africa, where the brand has become a consistent top-10 player in local sales and one of the country’s strongest-performing automotive brands.
- Chery’s local growth will be supported by its planned Rosslyn manufacturing facility, scheduled for takeover at the end of June, and an expanding product portfolio that includes the all-new Chery Q next quarter and Tiggo V before year-end.
Chery South Africa is celebrating another milestone after the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH was crowned winner of the Motor Enthusiast People’s Choice Award at the 2026 Old Mutual Insure Car of the Year.
Presented as part of the South African Car of the Year programme, the Motor Enthusiast People’s Choice Award is voted for by the public and reflects the views of South African motorists. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the programme, one of the country’s longest-running and most respected automotive awards.
The Tiggo 7 CSH’s success formed part of a strong showing for the wider Chery Group, with OMODA C7 named the winner of the Family category and Jetour T2 winning both the Adventure Utility category and the overall South African Car of the Year title.
For the Tiggo 7 CSH, the recognition follows strong market support for the plug-in hybrid, which has been praised for its striking design, feature-rich interior, refined and efficient powertrain, and extensive standard equipment.
The awards also reflect Chery South Africa’s growing stature in the local market. Four years after re-entering South Africa, Chery has become a consistent top-10 player in local sales and one of the country’s strongest-performing automotive brands, supported by a rapidly expanding dealer network of 150 dealers nationwide.
“The Motor Enthusiast People’s Choice Award is particularly meaningful because it comes directly from the South African public, ” commented Verene Petersen, National Marketing Manager at Chery South Africa.
“The Tiggo 7 CSH has resonated strongly with customers, with up to 93 km of pure electric range for daily commuting, a total range of up to 1,200 km, and fuel consumption of 4.9L/100 km. It gives customers the efficiency they want without asking them to compromise on comfort, safety or value. This award is a celebration of that balance and a testament to the growing trust South Africans have placed in Chery.”
The award comes as Chery continues to expand its presence in South Africa through a combination of product innovation, growing customer support and long-term investment in the local market.
Earlier this year, Chery South Africa confirmed plans to invest in a local manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, marking its transition from an importer to a committed local manufacturer and investor in the South African economy.
The facility is scheduled for takeover at the end of June, after which it will be recommissioned and retrofitted ahead of the start of local production in the second half of 2027. Chery’s investment will support job creation, local supplier development and broader industrial growth, while also allowing the brand to better service the South African and wider African markets.
“This investment is a vote of confidence in South Africa and a direct result of the unwavering support from our customers and dealer network over the past four years,” said Mr Charlie Zhang, Vice President of Chery Auto and Executive Vice President of Chery International.
A rapidly expanding product portfolio is also supporting Chery’s growing popularity. The all-new Chery Q is set to arrive in South Africa next quarter as a premium compact electric vehicle built on a dedicated electric platform, with preliminary specifications indicating a 90 kW motor, 42.7 kWh battery and a pure electric range of up to 400 km on the NEDC cycle.
Compact but practical, the Chery Q measures 4,195 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase and offers a 70-litre frunk, fast charging from 30 to 80% in around 30 minutes, an intuitive AI-driven user experience and advanced driver assistance technology.
The Tiggo V is also set to arrive before the end of the year, introducing a highly adaptable new vehicle concept designed around the principle of “one vehicle for all scenarios.” Developed to move seamlessly between the roles of SUV, MPV and lifestyle vehicle, the Tiggo V will offer flexible seating configurations, everyday practicality, intelligent technology, strong efficiency and the versatility required by modern families.
