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
Russel Coleman has been appointed as new Human Resources Director and Board Member of Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), based in Kariega in the Eastern Cape.
Russell will join the VWSA Management Board from 1 April 2022. He brings with him over 20 years’ experience in the manufacturing space, both in the automotive and FMCG industries.

Born and raised in Gqeberha, he joins VWSA from Beiersdorf in KwaZulu-Natal, where he held the position of HR Director Southern Africa. Before this, he occupied various Human Resources positions with companies such as Danone, Parmalat, Mondelez International and Faurecia Automotive.
“We are excited to welcome Russell to the Management Board,” said VWSA Chairman and Managing Director, Robert Cisek. “I have no doubt that his decades of knowledge and experience of managing people within a manufacturing environment will greatly benefit VWSA and our employees.”
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.