With oil hitting $145 a barrel the era of the petrol guzzling SUVs and mini vans is coming to an end as motorists scramble to cut down the cost of motoring, into this melee enter the Chery QQ3. The Chinese built car falls into the compact sector and comes to the South Market at a credit-crunch beating 60,000 Rand (US$7,780)

The Chery is imported by South African retail giant McCarthy who hope to replicate the success Chery QQ3 has enjoyed in its home Chinese market where it sold 500,000 units between 2006 and 2007.

The 800cc Chery faces stiff competition from an array of established players in the South African compact car market such as Chevrolet Spark (R66,560), Fiat Uno (R70,400), Tata B-line LE (R70,495), Volkswagen CITIGolf(R72,950), Chana Benni (R74,900), Geely CK1 (R74,995), Opel Corsa Lite (R75,040), Hyundai Atos (R77,900), Kia Picanto (R77,995)

For full review of the Chery QQ3 click here