China's expanding automotive footprint in South Africa: Jetour's GAIA Platform signals a new era of hybrid off-road innovation

At the opening of Auto Shanghai 2025, Chinese automaker Jetour unveiled its groundbreaking GAIA architecture, an advanced hybrid off-road platform poised to reshape global automotive standards. But beyond its technological sophistication, GAIA also reflects a broader trend: the increasing influence of Chinese automotive brands in international markets, particularly South Africa.

Jetour, a relatively young brand launched in 2019, made waves with the introduction of two new flagship SUVs—the Jetour G700 and G900, both built on the GAIA platform. Engineered for extreme versatility, these vehicles feature high-efficiency hybrid powertrains (Super Hybrid iDM-O and Amphibious Off-Road iEM-O), a marine-grade chassis, and smart multi-terrain adaptability. The GAIA platform even integrates features such as low-orbit satellite connectivity and an onboard oxygen-generation system, technologies typically associated with aerospace rather than automobiles.

The debut of GAIA at Auto Shanghai wasn't just about showcasing Chinese innovation though, it also signaled China's deepening automotive ties with South Africa, one of the fastest-growing markets for Chinese car exports. South African influencers and automotive journalists were invited to attend the unveiling, underlining the strategic importance of the country to Jetour's global expansion plans.

Jetour entered the South African market in late 2024 with the compact Jetour Dashing SUV, and it has quickly gained traction. In March 2025, the company recorded its highest sales month to date in South Africa, selling over 600 units. The rugged T1 and T2 models are expected to arrive later this year, and Jetour has now confirmed that the GAIA-based G700 will also reach South African shores by 2026 or 2027.

This move aligns with a broader wave of Chinese automakers, such as Chery, Haval, and BYD, increasingly viewing South Africa as a key gateway to the rest of the continent. China is currently South Africa's largest trading partner, and this relationship is deepening in the automotive industry, with Chinese vehicles now capturing a growing share of South Africa's SUV and bakkie (pickup truck) segments.

The synergy between China's manufacturing strength and South Africa's growing demand for affordable, tech-rich vehicles is reshaping the local market. Chinese brands are no longer seen as budget alternatives, but as innovators, often introducing cutting-edge technologies faster than traditional Western automakers.

As Chinese automakers continue to scale globally, South Africa finds itself at the intersection of a transformative shift in the global car industry. The success of Jetour and others in the region—including BAIC, which has established a manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape and continues to expand its footprint with models like the Beijing X55 and X7—may well define the future of mobility in emerging markets, a future that's increasingly hybrid, intelligent, and Chinese-engineered.