BAIC South Africa has confirmed that the all-new B30 SUV will be assembled locally at its Coega facility in Gqeberha, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s long-term commitment to the South African market. The announcement follows the B30’s dynamic debut at the Festival of Motoring 2025 and comes ahead of its official national launch in November.
Local assembly is set to commence shortly after the vehicle’s launch, reinforcing BAIC’s strategy to produce key models on South African soil while expanding the plant’s production capacity. “Localising the B30 is about more than manufacturing – it’s about investing in people, skills, and a sustainable automotive future for South Africa,” said Ameena Hassan, Brand & PR Manager at BAIC South Africa. “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.”
The R11 billion Coega plant, one of the largest industrial investments in South Africa’s automotive sector, currently assembles the BAIC B40 Plus and X55 Plus models. The addition of the B30 SUV will expand capacity and sustain hundreds of local jobs across production, logistics, and dealership networks. This move aligns with BAIC’s global “Build Where We Sell” philosophy, enhancing supply-chain resilience, reducing import dependency, and opening doors for future component sourcing from South African suppliers.
Hassan highlighted the strategic importance of the local assembly initiative: “We see South Africa 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.”
By bringing production closer to its customer base, BAIC is not only strengthening its operational footprint but also reinforcing its commitment to economic development, skills transfer, and the long-term growth of South Africa’s automotive industry. The B30 SUV promises to be a cornerstone of this vision, delivering modern design, practical functionality, and localised excellence to the South African market.
