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
Less privileged communities within Gqeberha can look forward to a better festive season with Isuzu Motors South Africa and Love Story, a non-profit organisation, which will deliver six hundred buckets laden with grocery essentials to these communities.
The initiative comes at a time when community members need such assistance, especially given the challenges and impact of COVID-19. Each bucket is filled with non-perishable items and treats.
Phumla Dyafta, Likusasa Lomama Project Manager, says the situation in their community has been dire: “We used to feed fewer than one hundred people a day and it would mainly be women who queue for a meal, but now things have changed.
“We now cater for more than three hundred people a day, and we have seen a rise in men who come for a meal, and people who have lost their jobs. These buckets will make a huge difference to these families over this period.”
Faced with many challenges, the needs in the community have changed and many are now faced with poverty and no hope of employment. Tracey Watson, Love Story Funding Coordinator, says they try to identify community members who are making a difference by running kitchens in their communities.

“We try and partner with formal business so that we link them up with needy communities; communities that need the intervention. Companies like Isuzu come on board, and we are able to link them up with a community project that seeks to address some of the urgent societal issues such as hunger,” says Tracey.
Isuzu has been a long-time corporate partner of initiatives that seek to uplift and benefit our local communities. As a corporate resident of Gqeberha, it is a business imperative for us to be part of the long-term sustainable solutions that will address some challenges our communities face.
Mandlakazi Sigcawu, Executive, Corporate and Public Affairs at Isuzu, says: “Our intention is that each bucket brings blessings and hope to every family, especially during this holiday period when families are together.
“What may seem a small gesture to some of us may make a huge impact on some of the homes that we are able to reach through this partnership. On behalf of Isuzu, we wish everyone a safe festive season.”
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.