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
FAW Trucks South Africa sponsored the third Phatje Youth Annual Sports tournament, which kicked off in October 2020 and is the brainchild of Phatje Justice Pitso, as a yearly event.
The aim of the soccer tournament is to support and identify soccer talent in disadvantaged communities.
The third tournament, which was sponsored by FAW and was held towards the end of last year, saw 16 teams battling it out for the honours. The tournament was officiated by SAFA Makhuduthamaga referees and attracted two SAFA executive management officers.
All participating clubs were gifted soccer balls for their participation, while there were cash prizes for the teams that reached the semi-final. The overall winners walked away with an impressive trophy, while runners-up received medals.

“FAW Trucks South Africa are honoured to sponsor the Phatje Youth Annual Sports tournament as we believe it is a great opportunity to encourage participation in sport and help identify sporting talent.
“The benefits of youth participating in sports are far reaching and include promoting a healthy lifestyle while also preventing youth from getting involved in crime or underage alcohol use,” says Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks South Africa.
The sponsorship handover took place at the Masemola Tribal offices where Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks South Africa, personally made the donation to the tournament organisers. The handover ceremony was attended by tournament organisers as well as representatives from SAFA and government.


Thomas Makgabo Sibushi Kgomo, the chief director of the department of sports, art, culture and recreation for the Limpopo Province delivered words of support as part of the proceedings.
“2023 sees FAW Trucks celebrate 29 years in South Africa, and we are heavily invested in the local economy as a significant employer and a local manufacturer and as such we feel that it is our duty to assist local communities with initiatives such as these, whenever possible,” concluded Yongjun.
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.