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South Africa

No cars, no jobs – Chinese auto industry venture in Gqeberha shows little activity seven years after launch

Close economic and political ties have triumphed over national interests, business ethics and proper investment protocols as the South African government continues to keep mum despite the R11-billion Chinese auto investment at the Coega Special Economic Zone outside Gqeberha not gaining any traction since its launch in 2016.
No cars, no jobs – Chinese auto industry venture in Gqeberha shows little activity seven years after launch

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Comments (8)

blaxx47 Apr 13, 2023, 06:08 PM

If you have never wondered about how factories arise, Max, watch this clip, and ask yourself how can construction progress NOT have been noticed. watch?v=R-o1enEJ2k0

blaxx47 Apr 13, 2023, 05:30 PM

Surely it must be visible from drones, if not from the surrounds, whether BAIC has in 7 years been constructing a physical plant, how close to completion it seems to be, whether they have paid money to power, water and other life-line suppliers to get the necessary infrastructure in place, etc? Local labour brokers, employment agencies, what do they say? Your "award-winning" journo Mativare seems to be doing his best to avoid exposing the hard truth, that no assembly line can function until it has a floor, walls and a roof. Maybe our bosom buddies the Chinese say "We shall turn the first sod when the government shows its bona fides by paying for the hundreds of locomotives ordered from and delivered by us" ?

Ed Richardson Richardson Apr 14, 2023, 12:11 PM

There is a giant facility clearly visible from the freeway. It even has a test track. Much, if not all, paid for by SA taxpayers through the IDC, which has partnered with BAIC.

Reginald van Rossum Apr 13, 2023, 02:07 PM

Possibly a way to import Chinese car imports avoiding import duties?

Rory Short Apr 12, 2023, 07:07 PM

"But not a single vehicle has rolled off the assembly line and there are no signs of it gaining traction." I'm not surprised. There is a cultural mismatch between China and South Africa which, as much as the ANC wishes it weren't so, exists because we have been under Western colonial hegemony for a few hundred years now.

Confucious Says Apr 12, 2023, 02:24 PM

You mean to say that the anc can't build a successful business/model/case? I'm so flipping surprised, said absolutely nobody, ever! I wonder who they are going to blame for this mess this time...?

Paul Caiger Apr 12, 2023, 09:06 AM

I suspect this was a front set up in order for funds to find their way into some ANC politicians pocket who probably has dished out some dicey underhand concessions to China. Who knows - maybe it's a smuggling racket - drugs , illegal imports , etc. The ANC would sell their own grandmother to the Chinese if it meant money , Mercedes benzs , Johnny walker Blue label and some other shiny trinkets. Nothing had changed in 500 years....

Jane Crankshaw Apr 12, 2023, 10:43 PM

I agree with you here….shiny trinkets still motivate Africa!

Derek Jones Apr 12, 2023, 08:15 AM

China does not want to hire local people. China does not have a good supply of electricity here. Spot the problem, yet as word would have it from Ramaphosa relations with China are excellent. Oh and with Russia too. Our rivers are full of shit. Crooked cops run the police. Nothing works properly. But don't worry no. Ramaphosa is at work fixing things behind the scenes. Way behind.I think he has done enough nothing. He is obviously close to useless.

Ivan van Heerden Apr 12, 2023, 07:52 AM

Once again a stunning success by the clown show that is this government. Needless to say some "Comrade" has probably made a couple of million off the deal. Viva Comrades of the ANC, Amandla!!