Chinese baby car heading for SA

Ousting direct competitors it will also come up against in South Africa, the Geely EC7 has taken the top spot as best selling subcompact after record sales in the first half of this year.

Sales in the extremely competitive subcompact market in China grew 10.2% over the first half of the year, with subcompacts in the same segment as the Geely EC7 making up the largest passenger automobile segment by sales volume.

"Competition in South Africa is extremely competitive as well, with a host of Chinese and other budget brands fighting for their slice of the local cake," says Henri Meistre of Geely South Africa.

"The entry level segment of the market is rife with imported newcomers with a host of so-called budget models from different manufacturers, and the product offerings from China are some of the most competitive."

Geely SA earlier this month opened its own Research and Development Centre at its head office in Midrand, Gauteng, to assist the Chinese automaker with changes needed for local conditions before the launch of new models on the South African market.

Geely SA has 34 dealers in South Africa selling the MK, LC and LC X Geely range. The Geely EC7 is available as a five-door hatch or as a four-door sedan. The sedan will be launched here in the first quarter of 2013, while the hatch version will make its local debut in the 3rd quarter of 2013.