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
TopGear South Africa launches its first-of-a-kind test track, which is straight out of the BBC TopGear handbook. The test track is located on the Brakpan/Benoni Airfield.
The 3.5-kilometer track is a first for TopGear South Africa for being outside the UK and which in true TopGear fashion will feature a number of challenging tests.
It is aimed at testing high speeds, cornering capabilities and the braking of performance cars. TopGear South Africa will also bring the Reasonably Priced Car segment, which the TopGear audience is familiar with. This segment will see South African celebrities attempt an on-screen fast timed lap around the track.
Also announced at the launch was the establishment of the TopGear Awards revealing the best cars in various categories. Secondly, the TopGear Speed Week 2023, which will take place at the end of October. Speed Week is a large performance feature to find the best performance car in South Africa.

Lerato Matebese, Publishing Editor at Clipping Point Publishing, comments: “A long time coming, finally launching the TopGear SA test track, is another feather in the cap of our continuous growth strategy.
“The facility allows us to put each car through the same, rigorous test to see how they would perform bone-stock from the dealer floor. While this will be great for car debates at the braai or carwash, it also puts into perspective each car’s performance credentials in a controlled environment.”
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.