Chery South Africa KOC Interview - Dustin Raviv

At Chery South Africa, we believe the most powerful stories come from the people who drive our vehicles every day. That’s why we regularly engage with our Kings of Customer (KOCs), real owners who experience Chery vehicles in real-world conditions.

In this interview, we speak to one of our KOCs, Justin Robert, about his journey with Chery, from initial hesitation around hybrid technology to the everyday realities of driving Chery vehicles for both business and personal use. As the owner of four Chery vehicles, a Tiggo 7 PHEV, two Tiggo Cross HEVs and a Tiggo 4, Justin shares an honest, first-hand perspective on efficiency, comfort, performance and the peace of mind that comes with owning a Chery.

Real Owners. Real Experiences. Why This Chery Customer Made the Switch

When it comes to choosing a vehicle for business and everyday life, real-world experience matters. That’s why we spoke to one of Chery South Africa’s Kings of Customer (KOCs) to hear first-hand how Chery vehicles have transformed the way his business operates and how his perception of hybrid and electric mobility has changed along the way.

From Skeptic to Advocate

Like many South Africans, our KOC admits he was initially hesitant about hybrid and plug-in vehicles. Load shedding, charging concerns and range anxiety were top of mind.

“I was very anti plug-in at first,” he explains. “It was a mindset thing. But once you understand how it actually works, it’s not that bad.”

Charging overnight quickly became part of his routine. By the time morning arrives, the vehicle is fully charged and ready for the day, delivering close to 90km of electric-only driving, perfect for daily commutes.

The result? A dramatic reduction in fuel costs.

“I’ve gone from filling up twice a week to once every month and a half,” he says. “I’m sitting on over 2,000km on a full tank, and that’s with charging every night.”

Built for Business and Beyond

Running a vehicle branding and detailing business means spending long hours on the road. Reliability, comfort and running costs aren’t optional, they’re essential.

Before switching to Chery, frequent breakdowns and escalating maintenance costs were the norm.

“Every month we had at least two vehicles in the workshop,” he recalls. “Now we have brand-new vehicles with maintenance plans, and honestly, there haven’t been any issues.”

The peace of mind that comes with a maintenance plan, combined with excellent dealer support, played a major role in the decision.

“The team at Chery really steps up whenever you need them. It made the decision a no-brainer.”

Comfort, Performance and Everyday Confidence

Beyond efficiency, comfort was one of the biggest surprises.

From smooth urban driving to weekend getaways and gravel roads, the vehicles handled it all with ease.

“We even ended up on a rough off-road dirt track on holiday,” he says. “It wasn’t extreme 4x4, but the car handled it beautifully. Comfortable, capable and confidence-inspiring.”

Performance also exceeded expectations, especially the instant power delivery.

“There’s no turbo lag. You put your foot down and it just goes,” he explains. “Sometimes accelerating out of a situation is safer than braking, and these vehicles give you that confidence.”

Thinking About Going Hybrid or Electric?

For anyone still unsure about making the switch, the advice is simple.

“Just go for a test drive,” he says. “Drive it in traffic, take it on the highway, live with it for a day if you can. Once you get over the mindset shift, the experience speaks for itself.”

With rising fuel costs and the move towards more efficient mobility, he believes hybrid technology offers the best of both worlds.

“If you’re still anxious, go hybrid. Better consumption, lower fuel costs, it just makes sense.”