Not Apple’s iCar: The Electric SUV Heading to SA

When iCAUR first appeared at the Festival of Motoring last year, it sparked curiosity. The name alone invited double takes. No, not Apple’s long-rumoured iCar. Something arguably more tangible is on the horizon.

Now, the Chery Group’s new-energy adventure brand is preparing for its official South African launch in May 2026. And if the early engineering brief is anything to go by, the story may be less about screens and software, and more about metal, manufacturing and meticulous detail.

At the centre of the 03T is a full aluminium body structure crafted from 6-series aviation-grade aluminium, selected for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. The construction process combines MIG arc welding, self-piercing riveting (SPR), flow-drill screw (FDS) fastening and laser deep fusion welding; technologies more commonly associated with premium vehicle manufacturing.

All 237 critical structural connection points use SPR technology, a non-thermal joining method that bonds aluminium and high-strength steel without heat distortion. The result is improved long-term durability and corrosion resistance when compared with conventional spot welding.

FDS fastening is used in key areas such as the roof structure, achieving assembly tolerances of up to 0.2 millimetres. Laser deep fusion welding is applied across multiple automated stations to bond aluminium profiles with sheet metal components, reinforcing structural integrity.

Before it reaches South African roads, the 03T undergoes extensive durability and quality testing in extreme conditions. These simulations cover severe cold and heat, humidity, dust exposure and off-road terrain. Engineers evaluate corrosion resistance, power system performance, sealing integrity, body rigidity and long-term material stability under stress.

It is a global validation programme designed to ensure the vehicle performs consistently across varying climates and landscapes.

Production takes place at Chery’s South Smart Factory in China, one of a limited number of facilities capable of full aluminium body manufacturing.

The plant operates with full automation in key processes and deploys AI-based visual inspection systems to monitor 105 critical welding points and 436 dimensional measurement points on every vehicle body. An internal IoT platform tracks more than 100,000 data points across the production line in real time.

According to Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for iCAUR South Africa, the factory records torque and angle data on 26 critical fasteners during chassis assembly, ensuring traceability from raw materials through to final build.

The facility also follows a reduced-energy manufacturing model. By eliminating the need for a conventional paint shop for the aluminium body structure, energy consumption is reduced by 82.9% compared with traditional facilities. A photovoltaic power system enables 100% daytime operation using renewable electricity.

With its official South African launch scheduled for May 2026, iCAUR positions itself as a new-energy adventure brand entering an increasingly competitive EV landscape. The 03T will serve as its technical statement piece; not only as an electric SUV, but as a showcase of manufacturing precision and material engineering.