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
KANU Commercial Body Construction announced the appointment of its new Board recently.
Newly appointed Board Chairman Billy Tom (Isuzu Motors South Africa Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director) leads a dynamic new KANU Board consisting of Mandlakazi Sigcawu (Isuzu Motors South Africa Executive: Corporate and Public Affairs), Duvan de Ridder (KANU: Finance Manager), Michiyuki Miura (Isuzu Motors South Africa Chief Financial Officer) and Ingo Epler-Brandenburg (KANU Commercial Body Construction Chief Operating Officer).
KANU Commercial Body Construction is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Isuzu Motors South Africa, which operates independently and was established in 2015 to create extended value to commercial vehicle customers.
This strategic business move has ensured that Isuzu, together with KANU, has the capacity to initiate and build products according to client specifications. KANU specialises in the design and manufacturing of innovative body applications and custom-built solutions.
“KANU is known for its innovative solutions and the company continues to create the required solution for you – no matter how high, remote or off-road the work may be. Our aim, as the incoming board, is to continue with the hard work,” said Ingo Epler-Brandenburg, KANU Commercial Body Construction’s Chief Operating Officer.
For the first time, a woman has been appointed to the KANU Board, with the selection of Mandlakazi Sigcawu. Sigcawu recently joined Isuzu as Department Executive: Corporate and Public Affairs and comes with a wealth of leadership experience.
She previously held a leadership role at a Fortune 500 company, where she was the Head of Communication and Transformation, managing projects across East and Southern African markets.
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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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.