BAIC SA is looking to expand its offerings and sustain dozens of local jobs through the introduction of its third locally assembled vehicle at its Coega plant.
The company confirmed that the all-new BAIC B30 SUV will be assembled locally at the company’s Gqeberha facility.
The announcement follows the B30’s big reveal at the Festival of Motoring 2025 and comes ahead of its official national launch in November 2025.
The R11-billion Coega plant, one of the largest industrial investments in the country’s automotive sector, assembles the BAIC B40 Plus and X55 Plus models.
BAIC public relations manager Ameena Hassan said the addition marked another significant step in the brand’s long-term commitment to the South African market.
“Localising the B30 is about more than manufacturing - it’s about investing in people, skills, and a sustainable automotive future for South Africa,” Hassan said.
“Our Coega facility was built to support long-term growth, and the addition of the B30 underscores our confidence in this market and our intention to become a truly local brand.”
She said the inclusion of the new B30 SUV will expand capacity and sustain hundreds of local jobs across production, logistics, and dealership networks.
" In line with BAIC’s global “Build Where We Sell” philosophy, the localisation of the B30 strengthens the brand’s supply-chain resilience, reduces import dependency, and opens opportunities for future component sourcing through South African suppliers.
“We see SA as the gateway to the continent.
“Building the B30 locally allows us to deliver vehicles faster, tailor them to local conditions and invest directly in the communities that support us,” Hassan said.
The Herald
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