OMODA marked a highly successful first year in South Africa with a strong sales performance in April 2024, outselling several long-established brands in the process.
Reporting sales figures to industry representative body Naamsa for the first time since officially hitting the road in South Africa a year ago, OMODA’s final tally accounted for a healthy 12.8% of the Chery Group’s record 2 009 total registrations for the month.
“In April 2024, the Chery Group registered its highest-ever sales figures in South Africa, securing 6th place on the overall manufacturer standings for the month and 4th in the passenger-vehicle segment. OMODA, which functions as an independent brand within the Chery Group, played a key role in this record-breaking performance,” said Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager Chery/OMODA & JAECOO South Africa.
When considering individual brands as opposed to manufacturers, OMODA placed a highly respectable 19th out of the 54 marques currently operating in South Africa’s new-vehicle market, with this young premium brand thus ranking ahead of several mainstream automakers hailing from Japan and Europe.
“As we celebrate our first birthday in South Africa, we’re thrilled with the market’s response to our fast-growing brand. Every single one of OMODA’s local sales in April came via the dealer channel, which – as opposed to bulk fleet sales – is considered a strong indicator of private-buyer sentiment. In short, each sale is another vote of confidence in our brand,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager OMODA & JAECOO.
The achievement is all the more impressive when one considers that OMODA’s local range currently comprises only the six-strong C5 line-up, including the limited-edition GT derivative.
A year ago, South Africa became the first country on the African continent to welcome the OMODA brand, with the C5’s unique silhouette immediately standing out in a market saturated with generic crossover shapes.
Later in 2024, the OMODA range will grow with the arrival of the highly anticipated C9 luxury flagship as well as the fully electric E5, while the recently revealed C7 is also on the cards for a local introduction further down the line.
Killer Merlot
Pam Golding – Pam Golding formed Pam Golding Properties in 1976 and turned it into the largest estate agency in the country. Her company has since gone onto transform the luxury residential landscape in South Africa, especially in Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.