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
Bridgestone Southern Africa (BSAF) has welcomed Sara Didiza as its new head of marketing.
Didiza will lead a multi-disciplinary team that includes product management and brand marketing, public relations, corporate communications and trade marketing.
Didiza has been filling this position since March. “The automotive sector delivers almost 7% of South Africa’s GDP, it is the largest manufacturing sector and contributes tremendously to export revenues,” Didiza said. “Our greatest challenge in the coming months will be to stimulate strong and sustainable business growth for BSAF and our customers, as we start the journey of recovery from the impact of the pandemic.”
Didiza also said in the statement that BSAF has much to look forward to as an official Olympic sponsor of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “The team has already initiated an exciting local campaign that I am very proud to be joining,” she said.
As artificial intelligence makes its way further into the automotive industry, tyre manufacturers are using intelligent tools to ensure better use of tyres, extending their life cycle, while keeping people safer on the roads.
Didiza was born in Zimbabwe and is an University of Cape Town alumna, where she obtained a BA degree in media as well as a law degree.
She has over ten years of experience in brand management and marketing, leading multi-million-dollar global brands such as Gillette, Pampers, Pantene, Head & Shoulders for P&G and Samsung’s full portfolio of mobile, TV and consumer electronic products across sub-Saharan Africa.
“My marketing philosophy is founded on serving and improving people’s lives by delivering exceptional products that offer real and meaningful value. All our planning will have the end consumer in mind, and I look forward to working collaboratively toward realising our strong brand vision and elevating BSAF to #1 in every category and channel it operates in.
“In order to get there, we’ll continue to ensure that our people are well taken care of, their passions and career aspirations are nurtured, and that their health and safety remain our top priority,” she said.
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.