Written by Mabuyane Mabuza
In a recent study by McKinsey & Company, technology-driven trends will revolutionize how industry players respond to changing consumer behavior.
This, the research adds, will be mainly driven by the demand for more tech such as digitization, automation, and new business opportunities. These forces will give rise to four disruptive technology-driven trends in the automotive sector: diverse mobility, autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity.
Though the “traditional” role players of the motor industry seem to be on solid ground, there are clear signs of the winds of change within the sector.
South Africa is no exception when it comes to these changes.
The Chinese motor companies have been on a charm offensive in the past five years or more, fighting for a chunk of the pie.
So, who are these future disruptors? Well, look no further than the Haval/GWM stable.
Let’s face it, would you have imagined that Haval would release products such as the H6 GT, the Jolion, and the P Series? I bet you wouldn’t have imagined this, ten years ago. Fast forward to 2023, you see a Haval approach, one cannot help but notice.
Chery has also done the same.
I remember the Chery Tiggo of yesteryear, it looked like an attempted Toyota Rav4. The workmanship was utterly shabby, review after review, it was clear that no effort had been put into that car. The Chinese left South Africa and other markets, tail between their legs.
Almost fifteen years later, the Chery brand is back but this time around, as a real brand that says I have made mistakes, learned my lessons, and have grown from them.
Baic also did the same, they came in and got it all wrong. They now seem to have learned valuable lessons. All three brands pride themselves on advanced car tech, modern designs, and modern engines. These are winning formulae.
They also carry the tag of being competitive. For now, they are what we call good alternatives. Only time will tell if they can shake things up and disrupt the market.
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