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
The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has welcomed the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) into their fold.
KAM has indicated that they have entered into the partnership to optimise sustainable development and stimulate the growth of the automotive industry in Kenya.
Some of the objectives of the partnership are:

In a statement announcing the development, AAAM said it is “looking forward to KAM's contribution to its mission of growing the automotive industry and promoting allied industrialization on the African continent”.
The memorandum of understanding was signed during AAAM’s visit to Kenya to enable participants to understand Kenya’s automotive industry and provide linkages with investors.
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.