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
Jean-Philippe Parain is the new Senior Vice-President Sales Regions Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa for BMW.
He will succeed Hendrik von Kuenheim, who took the decision to retire after 37 years at the BMW Group.
Jean-Philippe will be taking over the new role from 1 April 2022. He has a wealth of experience since he joined the company in 1997 at BMW France in the marketing department and held several senior management roles, including President and CEO of BMW Group Belux, Head of MINI Europe and Senior Vice-President Sales Region Europe.
Jean-Philippe says it is an honour and privilege to take on the new role. “This is a vital region for our industry, with a very promising potential as we continue to lead the future of mobility. I am looking forward to work with all our colleagues and partners and to continue winning the hearts of our customers in order to sustain our strong position in the region.”
Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Customer, Brands, Sales, said: “We are excited to welcome Jean-Philippe Parain into his new role and look forward to the continued success of the BMW Group across the region. As former head of Europe, Jean-Philippe is a well-known member of our team and brings a proven history of excellence and a vast portfolio of experience to his new role.
“Hendrik von Kuenheim combines passion and professionalism like few others and was the driving force behind the company's success in the Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has successfully led his team through a rapidly evolving era in the industry. We wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement,” says Pieter.
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.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
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.