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
Automechanika Johannesburg offers a new digital format for the international audience with a focus on industry and trade. Under the motto 'Let's talk Business', this includes a series of panel discussions on current topics presented by key players in the industry, associations and other stakeholders.
Automechanika Johannesburg is proud to announce its involvement in the internationally renowned ‘Let’s Talk Business‘ series, which is in association with ABSA. The webinar series will focus on industry-related topics and will be aimed at facilitating conversations with key associations and stakeholders, both regionally and internationally.
Representatives from various sectors will share their input on topics and will address issues in the automotive aftermarket industry. The first discussion is on Safeguarding your Business and Mitigating Risk in times of Disruption, which will take place on 6 October 2021.
The following topics will include: guidelines for competition in the automotive aftermarket and the impact on the sector, electrical vehicle roadmap for South Africa and the potential role of gas in driving sustainability objectives, manufacturing and skills development, the future of Motor Industry in SA and the role of dealerships and upskilling the workforce to align with technological advancements in the Merseta sector.
“The rapid pace of change within the automotive value chain, both locally and internationally, advances in technology and a drive towards localisation and skills‘ development will ensure that there are plenty of key issues and topics to address in this webinar series,” says Thamsanqa Letsoala, Business Development Manager: Automotive Sector, ABSA. "There is no better time than now to facilitate these web talks with industry specialists who contribute immensely to the industry,” Letsoala adds.
“The ‘Let’s Talk Business‘ platform will help update the sector on key trends and changes; to drive business growth, prepare companies in the sector for the future as well as educating people and driving skills development,” says Joshua Low, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa.
“The series has been created to serve the needs of the Automechanika audience, and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” Low adds.
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
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.