Though this may very well be the first time that you’re reading about Chinese vehicle distributor CMC, this 100 per cent BEE-owned company has been quietly active in South Africa since 2008. In fact, you’d be surprised to hear that it has actually been one of the more successful of the Chinese vehicle distributors, mostly as a result of the popularity of its range of taxi vehicles, the Amandla (more or less a copy of the Hi-Ace generation that followed the so-called “Zola Budd” model that was such a South African staple), and more recently, the Ses’Buyile, a vehicle that looks the spitting image of a Toyota Quantum, but at around a R70 000 saving.
New factory in Harrismith
This week, however, CMC finally engaged with the press for a couple of big announcements, the most important (in the long term) of which is probably the construction of a new factory (not an assembly plant) in Harrismith, with work scheduled to start before year-end. The new factory, which may yet move to the East-London IDZ, will initially build the above-mentioned taxis and the new Plutus range of single- and double-cab bakkies, before eventually also building the Lifan range of passenger vehicles. According to Chief Operations Officer, Imran Moola, the new factory will see CMC invest around $1 billion and directly create about 2 000 jobs. “The Chinese car firms are so focused on supplying domestic demand that building right-hand drive vehicles is not that high on the agenda,” said Moola. “We’ll build both left- and right-hand drive and also for the export market.”
Plutus bakkies
CMC also used the press conference this week to introduce a number of new vehicles, with the new Plutus bakkies arguably being of the biggest importance. With styling “inspired” by the likes of the American Chevrolet Silverado, the Plutus is quite a handsome machine that looks unlike any of the other Chinese bakkies. The facia also looks more modern and fit and finish are of the better I’ve seen in a Chinese vehicle. This is reflected in the price. The Plutus is not a bargain basement bakkie, but offers full specification, space and handsome looks, all with prices starting at just under R140 000 for the 2,2-litre petrol single-cab. The double-cab model sells for R159 990 and the top model 2,4 double-cab for R174 990. Within the next three months 4×4 variants and 2,5-litre common-rail turbodiesel models will also be available. The petrol engines are based on Toyota designs, while the diesel copies Isuzu. All models are covered by a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, 3-year roadside assistance and 3-year/60 000 km service plan.
Standard specification across the range includes a driver’s airbag, air-conditioning, central locking, power windows, power steering, ABS with EBD, CD player with MP3 playback, alloy wheels, rubberised cargo area and an adjustable steering wheel.
Lifan cars
Also launched this week was the Lifan 520i model range in hatch and saloon bodystyles. Both models can be had with either 1,3- or 1,6-litre petrol engines. We were not given the opportunity to drive the vehicles (road tests are promised soon), but just like the Plutus, the one big advantage the Lifan models have is that they don’t look like carbon copies of something Japanese or European, as is usually the case with Chinese cars. At best, I’d say, the Lifan models resemble the Russian Lada Kalina. That’s not meant as a negative, as they’re perfectly inoffensive, straightforward in design and reasonable-looking in terms of finish. In fact, just from sitting in them, I’d venture as far as saying they’re probably among the better. Sadly CMC’s press kit does not include any information on the Lifan models, so we’ll have to wait for the road test for full specs, but I do know that prices start at around R105 000 for the 1,3 hatch. In terms of size, think Kia Rio, and you’re probably pretty close. That means it’s a match for the likes of Renault’s Sandero, the Ford Figo and VW Vivo in terms of size, but promises to offer a few more standard features at the same price.
CMC has just over 40 dealers established in South Africa, and according to chairman Yacoob Moola, the company actually started stocking up on parts before it brought in the first vehicles. Around R50-million worth of parts are housed in a 10 000 m2 warehouse in Gauteng. According to Moola, any part that they don’t have in stock, will be flown in at CMC’s expense.
