Omoda and Jaecoo confirm six hot new rides for South Africa in 2025
Omoda and Jaecoo are off to a strong start in South Africa, having achieved relative success with the Omoda C5 that was launched in 2023 and the Jaecoo J7 introduced in April this year.
With just these two models in their portfolio, recently joined by the Omoda C9, Brand O&J, as they like to call themselves, have regularly sold more than 500 units per month in South Africa, outselling established brands such as Mazda and Honda.
These sister brands from China are only getting started, with plans to triple their collective line-up in 2025 with six new models in the pipeline.
Here’s what you can expect next year:
Jaecoo J5: The J5 boasts similar looks to its larger J7 stablemate, but will bring its Range Rover-inspired style to a wider audience.
Highlights, according to Jaecoo, include a 13.2-inch vertical touchscreen with ‘smart’ navigation, as well as the largest panoramic sunroof in its class, an advanced air filtration system and numerous pet-friendly accessories.
Pricing, specifications and the engine line-up, as with the other models we’re about to mention, will be announced closer to launch, but for what it’s worth, overseas versions are powered by the familiar 1.6 turbopetrol, producing 145kW.
Jaecoo J6: The brand’s first all-electric vehicle also makes its debut next year, and will certainly stand out with its butch looks, which Jaecoo says are backed up by “light off-roading capability”.
Local details remain under wraps, but in other markets the J6 is offered in 2WD form with 184kW, and in 4WD guise with 279kW.
Jaecoo J7 PHEV: The existing J7 SUV is set to be joined by a plug-in hybrid variant, which pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine to an electric motor for system outputs of 255kW and 525Nm.
Preliminary figures suggest the J7 PHEV can cover around 90km on electric power alone, and the company says it achieved consumption of 3.3 litres per 100km on a recent 1,300km endurance test conducted in China.
Jaecoo J8: Emerging as the brand’s new flagship, the J8 has seating for seven and promises premium materials and plenty of luxury features.
Overseas the model is offered with a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, producing 195kW and 400Nm, and there’s a plug-in hybrid version too, although this has yet to be confirmed for local introduction.
Omoda C7: As its name implies, the C7 fits between the current C5 and C9 models, with an overall length of 4,621mm giving it a similar footprint to the Toyota Rav4.
Like the C5 it has slim headlights and a frameless grille, while the cabin boasts a large 15.6-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery and a 14-speaker “immersive” sound system.
Omoda C9 PHEV: The recently launched Omoda C9 will be joined by a plug-in hybrid variant in 2025, pairing the familiar 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with three electric motors.
More comprehensive details about these six new vehicles from Omoda and Jaecoo will be released during the course of next year.
IOL