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
The World Cup Rugby Champions, the Springboks, have a new vehicle partner after a three-year deal between the Boks and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) was announced.
The company’s involvement in sponsorships cover a broad spectrum. This includes the Free State Cheetahs, Kaizer Chiefs, The South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD), motorsport with the Gazoo Racing Teams, The Comrades, Toyota Gaming-Engine with E-Sports and Cycle Lab, to mentioned a few.
With rugby remaining amongst the top-ten interests of SA consumers throughout the years, there were no surprises when in 2011, TSAM changed from avid watcher to proud backer of the local game and picked its favourite rugby team – the Toyota Cheetahs.
“It goes without saying that Toyota has a strong bond with South African rugby - you can see it in our partnership with the Toyota Cheetahs and Free State Rugby. The future of South African rugby is bright, both domestically and internationally, and we are honoured to drive this new chapter in SA’s sporting journey,” says Leon Theron: Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM.
TSAM has, over the past 11 years, cemented its legendary support and commitment to local rugby through its partnership with the Cheetahs and the Free State Rugby Union.
So, it is perhaps fitting that the Springboks will play with Toyota as a partner at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on 9 July in the second game in the 2022 Castle Lager Incoming Series against Wales.
Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby, says: “For many years, Toyota has been one of the most trusted motoring brands in South Africa, and to have them on board as one of our new sponsors is a great moment. We are living in particularly challenging times, but it speaks volumes of the value of the Springbok brand that we are still able to welcome new partners; it gives me great pleasure to welcome such an iconic brand like Toyota to the family.”
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.