Chinese cars are becoming a much bigger part of the South African automotive market, and that shift is starting to show in car rental fleets too.
For rental customers, this means there is now a greater chance of driving vehicles from brands such as Haval and GWM, whether for a weekend trip, a business rental or a long term booking.
For rental companies like Pace Car Rental, it also means the fleet is evolving alongside the wider automotive market.
A few years ago, Chinese vehicles were still viewed as relatively new alternatives in South Africa. Today, manufacturers such as GWM, Haval, Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour and BYD are competing directly with some of the most established vehicle brands in the country.
According to naamsa, the number of Chinese automotive brands represented in South Africa increased from eight in 2024 to 15 in 2025.
So, what is driving this growth, and what does it mean for South Africans who rent rather than buy their cars?
Why are Chinese cars growing in South Africa?
South African motorists are increasingly looking for value.
The cost of buying and running a car has increased, which means customers are paying closer attention to what they get for their money.
Chinese manufacturers have responded strongly to this demand.
Many newer Chinese vehicles offer modern styling, large infotainment screens, driver-assistance technology, strong safety features and high specification levels at competitive prices.
This has helped change how South Africans view these brands.
Customers are no longer only asking whether a Chinese car is affordable. They are also comparing comfort, technology, performance, practicality and overall value.
And these same factors matter in car rental.
A rental customer may not care about owning a vehicle for five or ten years, but they do care about whether the car is comfortable, easy to drive, spacious enough for their needs and good value for the rental category they are booking.
Car rental gives drivers a different way to experience Chinese cars
One of the interesting things about the growth of Chinese vehicles is that not every South African needs to buy one to experience one.
Car rental can provide a low-commitment introduction to a new brand.
A customer who has never driven a Haval before might spend a few days using one on holiday. A business may hire a GWM bakkie for a project and experience it in real working conditions.
That kind of experience can be much more meaningful than simply seeing the vehicle online or taking a short dealership test drive.
For rental companies, however, adding new brands to a fleet cannot only be about following trends.
Rental vehicles need to be practical, comfortable and suited to different types of customers and driving conditions.
As Chinese vehicles become more visible in rental fleets, it is another sign of how established these brands are becoming in South Africa.
Chinese SUVs and bakkies are becoming mainstream
The SUV market is one of the clearest examples of how much things have changed.
Haval models such as the Jolion and H6 have become recognisable vehicles on South African roads, while newer products are moving Chinese manufacturers into more premium categories.
The GWM TANK range is another example.
Vehicles such as the TANK show that Chinese manufacturers are no longer competing only at the affordable end of the market. They are also entering premium SUV, adventure and 4×4 segments.
The same shift can be seen in the bakkie market.
South Africans have traditionally been very loyal to established bakkie brands, but GWM has built a growing presence with vehicles such as the Steed and P-Series.
This is particularly relevant for car rental because bakkies are hired for very different reasons.
Some customers need them for construction or business use, while others want a double cab for travel, outdoor activities or family use.
Having more brands competing in this category gives rental customers more choice.
Chinese vehicles in the Pace Car Rental fleet
Pace Car Rental’s fleet already includes a number of Chinese-manufactured vehicles across SUV and bakkie categories.
These include:
Haval Jolion
The Haval Jolion is available within Pace’s five-seater SUV category and is a practical option for everyday driving, business trips and family travel.
Haval H6 and H6 GT
The Haval H6 range offers customers a larger SUV option, while the H6 GT provides a sportier and more premium feel.
GWM TANK
The GWM TANK reflects the move by Chinese manufacturers into the premium SUV and 4×4 market.
For rental customers looking for a larger, adventure-focused vehicle, it offers another alternative within a category traditionally dominated by long-established brands.
GWM P-Series
The GWM P-Series forms part of Pace’s bakkie rental offering.
Depending on availability, customers can access different configurations including single-cab and double-cab options, as well as 4×2 and 4×4 variants.
These vehicles can suit both business and leisure rentals.
GWM Steed 5
The GWM Steed remains a practical option within Pace’s one-ton bakkie offering and is suited to customers who need a work-focused rental vehicle.
Vehicle models and availability may differ by branch, and customers may receive the listed vehicle or a similar model within the same rental category.
Why renting can be a useful way to test a Chinese car
As more Chinese brands enter South Africa, customers have more choice than ever before.
But more choice can also make deciding between vehicles more difficult.
Renting gives customers an opportunity to spend meaningful time with a vehicle without committing to buying it.
Over a few days or weeks, you can experience how comfortable the car is in traffic, how much luggage it carries, how easy the technology is to use and how it performs on longer journeys.
For customers considering buying a Chinese car in future, renting one can therefore provide useful real-world experience.
Long-term car rental can offer an even better sense of what living with a particular type of vehicle feels like.
Are Chinese cars the future of South African motoring?
It is unlikely that one group of manufacturers will completely dominate South Africa’s automotive future.
Japanese, European, Korean and locally manufactured vehicles will continue to play an important role.
But Chinese manufacturers are no longer outsiders.
Their growing market share, expanding model ranges and increasing visibility in both private ownership and car rental suggest that they are becoming a permanent part of the South African automotive landscape.
For consumers, more competition can mean greater choice, stronger specifications and better value.
For the car rental industry, it also means more diverse fleets and more opportunities for customers to experience vehicles they may not previously have considered.
At Pace Car Rental, that change is already visible.
From Haval SUVs to GWM bakkies and newer vehicles such as the GWM TANK, customers can already experience some of the vehicles helping reshape the South African automotive market.
Explore the Pace Car Rental fleet and find the right vehicle for your next trip, business requirement or long term rental.