Chery South Africa has confirmed that its first one-tonne bakkie will be sold locally as the Grootman. The Chinese carmaker said the bakkie will launch in South Africa early next year, IOL reported.
The name came from a public campaign. Chery received more than 20,000 name ideas. These were cut down to a shortlist of six names: Bakkie, Brahman, Chief, Orca, Nduna and Grootman.
The public vote was then opened again so people could choose the final name. Grootman won.
“Rooted in Afrikaans and literally meaning ‘big man’, Grootman has become a familiar South African expression of respect. It describes someone who has earned their standing through experience, achievement and the way they take responsibility,” Chery said.
“At a family gathering or around a business table, the Grootman is someone whose opinion matters and who can be relied on when a decision needs to be made, or a problem needs solving,” the company added.
The bakkie is Chery’s answer to the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger. In Australia, the same vehicle will be sold under a different name, the Stockman.
Chery said the Grootman will arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2027. At first, it will be fully imported.
Company representatives said earlier that local production is being considered. This could happen at the Rosslyn plant that Chery has bought. The plant is due to start working in the second half of 2027.
South African prices and full details have not been announced yet. Chery has, however, shared early specifications for the bakkie.
According to Chery, it uses a diesel hybrid system. A 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine works with an electric motor. Together they produce 350kW and 800Nm.
IOL said this makes it more powerful than the BYD Shark, which delivers 321kW. It also has more power on paper than the 292kW Ford Ranger Raptor.
Chery said the bakkie can drive up to 100km on electric power alone. It also has a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg.
The Grootman comes with all-terrain tyres as standard. It has 247mm of ground clearance and heavy-duty leaf spring suspension at the back.
It is also a large vehicle. It is 5,450mm long and 2,010mm wide. That makes it longer than the 5,320mm Hilux and the 5,350mm Ranger, and close in size to the BYD Shark.
The cabin uses digital screens but still keeps physical controls, IOL reported.
In Australia, Chery’s chief operating officer Lucas Harris said a petrol version of the Stockman will also be sold there.
“Offering both petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid options allows us to cater for customer demands, be it off-road performance or a more urban focus,” Harris said.
Chery said more details about the petrol version will be released in 2027. The company has not said whether a diesel model without the hybrid system will come to South Africa.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.