Brand O&J – the Chery Group division comprising the OMODA and JAECOO marques – was the centre of attention at South Africa’s 2024 Festival of Motoring in Gauteng, reflecting its rapid rise up the local sales charts.

Held at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 30 August to 1 September 2024, the largest industry-supported automotive show on the African continent provided the ideal setting to display the latest OMODA and JAECOO products.

For instance, the popular OMODA C5 was on hand to showcase its futuristic styling and cutting-edge technology, while the soon-to-launch OMODA C9 coupé-style flagship SUV likewise attracted plenty of attention thanks to its award-winning design and luxurious cabin.

In addition, the JAECOO J7 – a highly capable urban off-road SUV that, like the OMODA C5, is fast climbing the sales charts – continued to win the hearts of outdoor-loving South African motorists, while also turning heads with its modern yet classic design aesthetic.

Meanwhile, in an exciting preview of Brand O&J’s imminent expansion into the local new-energy vehicle space, the fully electric JAECOO J6 was introduced to South Africans, who were captivated by its retro-inspired exterior design, boxy proportions and surprisingly spacious interior.

Measuring 4 406 mm long, the new JAECOO J6 – which features a classic yet modern off-road look – is endowed with a generous 2 715 mm wheelbase that translates into a deceptively spacious interior. All-wheel-drive variants are equipped with a 70 kW electric motor up front and a 135 kW electric motor at the rear, resulting in a total system power output as high as 205 kW.

The 0-100 km/h sprint is thus seen off in a mere 6.5 seconds, while the single-charge range comes in at over 500 km, depending on the chosen battery configuration. Designed to handle various terrains with ease, the new model is equipped with as many as 9 driving modes. The J6 is scheduled to launch in SA in the opening quarter of 2025, kicking off Brand O&J’s new-energy journey, which will also include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

“The fact that every single one of the vehicles we displayed at the Festival of Motoring drew huge interest from attendees speaks volumes for both the design and quality of our cars as well as the local market’s incredibly positive sentiment towards these fresh brands,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO South Africa.

“In short, Brand O&J has quickly become a force that simply cannot be ignored in South Africa’s highly competitive automotive market. And, of course there’s plenty more to come,” added Gahagan.

While the C9 and J6 – along with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the J7 – are next on the cards for South Africa, development of new OMODA and JAECOO models continues apace overseas. For instance, extreme high-temperature testing of the freshly revealed OMODA C7 was recently completed in China, while teaser images and official design sketches of the exciting new JAECOO J5 were revealed ahead of this all-new model’s upcoming unveiling.

Since Brand O&J’s global launch in 2023, the company has attracted as many as 300 000 sales worldwide (up until the end July 2024), expanding into more than 40 countries and opening in excess of 875 showrooms around the world. This is a clear illustration of OMODA and JAECOO’s vision of together growing into one of the strongest brands globally.

That vision includes Europe. In February 2024, Brand O&J became the first Chery Group division to officially enter the European market, holding a celebratory event in Madrid, Spain. Around two months later, the President of Spain joined the President of Chery International to witness the inauguration of Brand O&J’s first EU factory. This makes Brand O&J the first Chinese automaker to set up a production plant in Europe, further demonstrating its determination to continue building only the highest-quality products.

Meanwhile, in mid-October, OMODA and JAECOO will join hands with individuals from more than 40 countries around the world to hold the 2024 International User Ecological Co-creation Conference at the brand’s headquarters. This ground-breaking event will explore the future of ecological travel as part of the brand’s philosophy of “More Than Cars”.