By Mabuyane Mabuza
I am old enough to remember when the South African motoring scene was dominated by German swagger and prestige. Don’t get me wrong, those brands still stir emotion when you come face to face with them. However, the speed at which Chinese manufacturers are catching up is something many of us may have underestimated.
No one could have prepared the petrol head in me for the moment a Chinese vehicle would win the prestigious South African Car of the Year competition.
As the scores were being tallied and it became increasingly clear that the Jetour T2 was pulling ahead, it dawned on many of us within the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists that history was unfolding right in front of us. In its 40th year, the South African Car of the Year competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, had produced one of its most unexpected winners yet.
And perhaps that is exactly what the competition is supposed to do.
More than just a surprise winner
Under the custodianship of the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists, the South African Car of the Year competition has long been regarded as one of the country’s toughest and most respected motoring awards. Since its inception in 1986, the competition has recognised some of the most iconic vehicles to grace local roads, with brands such as BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford dominating the honours list over the decades.
Many of us on the Guild’s executive committee have spent more than 20 years in the industry, and while we knew this moment would eventually come, few anticipated it would happen this soon.
In all honesty, the Jetour T2 proved itself a worthy contender. It fought hard for the title and consistently impressed throughout the judging process. The competition has produced surprises before, but a Chinese vehicle taking top honours marks a particularly significant moment for the local industry.
The market has already shifted
What makes the T2’s victory more important is the broader context of the South African market itself.
Chinese brands have moved from fringe players to serious volume contenders in less than a decade. Buyers are no longer shopping based on heritage alone.
Technology, value for money, design, after-sales support and overall ownership experience are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions.
Jetour has understood this shift remarkably well.
Since arriving in South Africa in September 2024, the brand has grown rapidly. By early 2026, the company had already sold more than 12 291 vehicles locally, while the T-Series range, including the T2, had surpassed 4 500 units sold since launch in October last year.
The T2’s rise has been particularly impressive. Within months of entering the market, the boxy SUV became Jetour’s best-selling local model, recording more than 545sales in its launch month before climbing to 665 units in January 2026 alone.
Winning buyers where it matters
Part of the T2’s success lies in how effectively it positions itself against established adventure SUVs at a significantly lower price point, while still offering strong technology and respectable performance.
Its direct competitors include the Toyota Fortuner and the GWM Tank 300, two vehicles with loyal South African followings.
The Fortuner remains the benchmark for reliability, durability and resale value, trusted by families, farmers and adventure enthusiasts alike. Toyota’s extensive dealer footprint, particularly in rural South Africa, continues strengthening that appeal.
The GWM Tank 300, meanwhile, has already shown that South Africans are warming to premium Chinese off-roaders, offering bold styling, luxury features and genuine off-road capability.
Yet the Jetour T2 enters this space with something slightly different. Its more urban-friendly design, aggressive pricing and technology-heavy approach appeal strongly to younger buyers looking for lifestyle and value in one package.
Large infotainment screens, advanced driver assistance systems, panoramic cameras, premium finishes and bold styling have helped it stand out in a market where buyers increasingly want premium experiences without premium-brand pricing.
A sign of what is coming
Ultimately, the role of the South African Car of the Year competition is to recognise excellence in motoring. That includes engineering, technology, pricing, market impact and overall value.
It also means being fair to every contender, including the underdog.
Perhaps this victory is not only about Jetour winning a trophy. It may well be one of the clearest signs yet that the South African automotive landscape is changing permanently.
