Chery names its first bakkie Grootman
Chery has named its first bakkie for South Africa Grootman, a name chosen by South Africans. The model is planned to make its local debut in the first quarter of 2027.
- Product News
- 2 October 2026
Suzuki hosted the 4WD To the Max challenge to showcase models in the Suzuki range’s capabilities. The event was held at the ADA Training and Outdoor Centre, which offers multiple training courses.
The range of vehicles used during the event includes a performance-orientated Swift Sport in a timed skidpan challenge to show its Go-Kart like handling skills. The offroad capabilities of the Grand Vitara and the Suzuki Jimny were put to the test on the challenging 4x4 track.
“The idea behind this event is twofold. Firstly, it’s to introduce the country to 4WD To the Max by selecting individuals with high followings on social media who want to watch and participate on the programme showing them how much fun you can have with friends and family.
“Secondly, it’s to introduce people to the Suzuki brand,” says Megan MacDonald, Head of Marketing and PR for Suzuki Auto South Africa.
The different challenges were designed with the specific models in mind. The first challenge was a skidpan exercise to test the quickness and agility of the drivers. This was made easy in the Swift Sport and its potent 1400 engine. The car was impressive by all standards through corners doing handbrake turns on the skidpan for a bit of showing off.
The off-road course we put the Jimny and Grand Vitara AllGrip through had some daunting sections. The Grand Vitara, which is Suzuki’s flagship model, has a host of technology making the driving experience a whole lot easier. It also incorporates hybrid technology that regenerates energy during deceleration for storage in the 12V lithium-ion battery. The Grand Vitara combines off-road driving and comfortable driving.
The Jimny, however, is not as luxurious as the Grand Vitara, but it makes up for it in its ability as a hardcore 4x4, no matter if it’s faced with bends, twists or a steep incline, which is not a problem for the Jimny.
The day was also filled with other competitors who partook in a general knowledge quiz as well as other fun-filled activities.
The Pricing of the vehicles driven at the event:
Suzuki Swift 1.4T Sport auto – R442 900
Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip – R529 000
Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip – R397 900
Chery has named its first bakkie for South Africa Grootman, a name chosen by South Africans. The model is planned to make its local debut in the first quarter of 2027.
South Africa’s new vehicle market recorded aggregate domestic sales of 61 645 units in September 2026, an increase of 12.7% compared with the 54 706 units sold during September 2025.
SA Auto Week 2026 is scheduled to take place in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, from 13 to 16 October, with the event marking five years of SA Auto Week.
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Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
South Africa’s new vehicle market recorded aggregate domestic sales of 61 645 units in September 2026, an increase of 12.7% compared with the 54 706 units sold during September 2025.
SA Auto Week 2026 is scheduled to take place in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, from 13 to 16 October, with the event marking five years of SA Auto Week.
South Africa’s domestic new-vehicle market strengthened in September, recording 61 645 sales, its highest monthly total of 2026. Sales increased by 3 747 vehicles, or 6.5%, from August’s originally reported total and were 12.7% higher than in September 2025.