South Africa to produce its first Omoda C4 at Roslyn Plant
PRETORIA — South Africa’s first locally manufactured Omoda C4 is scheduled to enter production at the Rosslyn plant at the end of July 2027, with 683 jobs retained and the first group of workers already undergoing training. The production programme could eventually extend to other SUVs and pickups, although those model decisions remain under consideration.
In written responses to TownPress, the company confirmed that no C4 has yet been manufactured at the facility, including a pilot or pre-production vehicle. The July date therefore marks the planned start of production, with the South African retail launch timetable still to be confirmed.
For motorists following the C4’s arrival, the distinction matters: a manufacturing start date does not establish when locally built vehicles will reach dealerships, which derivatives will be available or what they will cost.
Powertrain choices still under consideration
The company has not committed to manufacturing petrol, hybrid and fully electric versions at Rosslyn. Asked to distinguish local production plans from derivatives that might be imported, it said different powertrains were being investigated and details would follow once confirmed.
That leaves the local C4 range open. Buyers will have to wait for the specification announcement to establish which engine or electrified drivetrain will be offered, alongside equipment levels and pricing. The responses did not provide a separate pilot-production schedule or a retail launch date.
The end-of-July target falls within the previously reported third-quarter production window, but preparations at the former Nissan facilities remain in progress. Asked when the acquisition was completed and what recommissioning work remained, the company described planning as being at an advanced stage without supplying a completion date or detailing the outstanding work.
Rosslyn’s ambitions extend beyond the C4
The reported target of 15,000 vehicles during the third and fourth quarters of 2027 should not be read as a C4 production forecast alone. The company said the figure covers various models under consideration, with potential additions in the SUV and pickup segments.
No further models were confirmed, and no timeframe was given for reaching the reported annual target of 50,000 vehicles. These figures therefore describe the broader manufacturing ambition rather than a settled production schedule for a confirmed model range.
The immediate focus is supplying South African buyers. Exports into other African markets are being investigated, but the company has not announced destinations or export volumes.
Training begins for retained workforce
The clearest indication of preparations on the ground is the retention of 683 jobs, with the first group of employees undergoing training. No additional recruitment is planned at this stage.
Details of the manufacturing operation itself remain outstanding. The company has not specified which production processes will take place at Rosslyn or disclosed approved local-content targets and supplier-development commitments. It said it intended to learn from established manufacturers before communicating those commitments.
Those details will help establish how much of the C4’s production value will remain in South Africa and what opportunities the programme could create for component suppliers. For buyers, the next significant announcement will be the local model specification and showroom timetable, turning the July 2027 manufacturing target into a clearer picture of the C4 they will be able to purchase.
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