As Chinese brand Jetour moves closer to launching its first products in SA during September, the company has announced the appointment of Nic Campbell as vice-president. The CEO is Johnny Fang, and who Motor News recently interviewed.
Campbell has been in the motoring trade for more than 14 years, with extensive experience working with international car brands, including as GM of sales at Citroën and Daihatsu. He was recently the GM at Mitsubishi SA.
Globally, Jetour is a subsidiary of the Chery Automobile company; however, the new brand will operate independently from the mother body here in SA with its own
Campbell says the brand is poised to establish a new standard of excellence in the local automotive industry. While keeping dealers and staff happy is vital, putting the needs of the customer first is what Campbell says will set Jetour apart from its competitors.
“When a customer comes into a dealership at the end of their 10-year, 1-million-km warranty for the first owner, we want them to be as happy as they were when they first bought their vehicle,” he says.
“Any new brand will create hype and excitement. How we interact with our customers and develop that trust means getting it right from the start, and that’s why we are driving so hard now to get everything in place,” Campbell says. “Introducing a new brand in a competitive market is exciting but requires addressing the learning and challenges faced by previous brands."
The company launches in September with two products: the seven-seater Jetour X70 Plus and the five-seater Dashing models. Campbell says that the company is entering the local market with affordable luxury, alongside a comprehensive strategy to ensure that parts are available, dealers are on board and that aftersales service is in place.
Jetour says it has already started stocking R100m worth in parts and has secured 40 dealerships nationally. Parts are not being outsourced or kept off site, but at the company's headquarters in Kyalami, Johannesburg, where a training facility has also been established.
The official SA launch of Jetour takes place in Johannesburg on September 20 2024.
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