Dongfeng sets-up shop as latest Chinese brand in South Africa

One of China’s oldest automakers established in 1969, Dongfeng has officially become the latest to arrive in South Africa with an initial line-up of three models, two powered solely by electric drivetrains.

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Known largely for its line-up of heavy-duty commercial vehicles as well as favoured by the Chinese military, the brand is equally well-known for its joint ventures with amongst others, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Honda, most famously Peugeot and Citroën and previously, Kia.

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Pronounced “dong fong” and not “dong feng”, the brand launched its operations at a special event in Edenvale on Thursday (12 December) by showcasing the simply titled Box aimed at the BYD Dolphin and the Dayun Yuehu S5.

Unboxing the Box

Showcased as a production-ready model at the Guangzhou Auto Show last year, with sales in China having started in January, the Box forms part of Dongfeng’s Nammi range of dedicated small electric vehicles with its official name being Nammi 01 at home.

Marketed without any Dongfeng reference, apart from its badges, the South African version will eschew the Nammi 01 designation completely and simply be badged as the Dongfeng Box when it goes on-sale in the first half of 2025.

Described as being one of the longest vehicles in its class in China, the Box rides on a dedicated EV platform called Dongfeng Quantum Architecture S3 with measurements of 4 030 mm in overall length, a wheelbase of 2 660 mm, height of 1 570 mm and width of 1 570 mm.

Providing seating for five with a maximum of 945-litres of boot space available with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down, the Box utilises Dongfeng’s so-called Mach E 10-in-1 driveline it says has been rated at 91.9% for overall thermal efficiency.

Powered by a 42.3-kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack driving a single front-mounted electric motor, the Box produces 70kW/160Nm, which Dongfeng claims will see it reach a top speed of 140 km/h and travel 430 km on a single charge based on China’s CLTC measuring system.

For now, the lesser variant, powered by a 31.4-kWh battery pack and able to travel 330 km, is not expected to arrive on local soil.

Supporting DC charging means a waiting time of 30 minutes from 30-80%, with a reported 200 km being available after eight minutes.

While no details regarding specification were made, items in China consist of a 12.8-inch infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger integrated into the floating centre console, a freestanding digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, a frameless rear-view mirror and a 540-degree surround-view camera system.

Electric, heated and ventilated front seats, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Auto Park Assist complete the features list.

Offered in four colours; Stone White, Rain Blue, Fantasy Purple not available in China and Fruit Green, the displayed model, decked-out in the latter hue, sported a two-tone black-and-white interior colour with imitation leather trim in a diamond quilted pattern on the seats.

Unique is the opening of the glovebox that sports a basket-type design, but opens in a drawer fashion instead of dropping down.

Arriving later…

Still to be priced, the Box’s arrival will culminate in the debut of two other models; the 007 sold as the eπ 007 in China, and a still-to-be-revealed SUV known only by its internal moniker, S32, at present.

Of particular interest, the 007’s will become the first electric range extending vehicle or EREV in South Africa whereby the internal combustion engine is used solely as a charger for the electric motor.

Launched in China in March, the 007’s EREV setup consists of a normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 28.3-kWh battery producing a total of 160kW/310Nm, while two single-motor EV models are offered; the 56.8-kWh with 160kW/310Nm and the 70.2-kWh outputting 200kW/320Nm.

Adding a second electric motor to the latter though not only results in an all-wheel-drive layout, but outputs of 400kW/640Nm. Respective ranges for the three EV models are 530 km, 620 km and 540 km.

More in 2025

Distributed locally by a South African firm called E Auto Motor, more details, including pricing, of the Box and 007 will be announced towards the end of the first half of 2025.

Additional information from carnewschina.com and cnevpost.com.

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