Chery Names Its New SA-Bound Hybrid Bakkie ‘Grootman’

Chery South Africa has revealed the name of its upcoming double-cab bakkie, previously known only by its internal codename KP31: the Chery Grootman.

The name was chosen through a nationwide public competition, with South Africans invited to submit suggestions for the vehicle before its local launch. Chery says the winning entry reflects a deliberate effort to give the bakkie a distinctly South African identity rather than simply importing a global nameplate.

What’s Behind the Name

“Grootman” is an Afrikaans-rooted term widely used across South African slang to describe someone commanding respect — typically a person who has earned their standing through experience, hard work and reliability. It’s the kind of person others turn to when a decision needs to be made or a problem needs solving.

Chery South Africa GM Jay Jay Botes said handing the naming process over to local consumers was a deliberate move to blend the brand’s Chinese engineering background with South African character.

• Chery wanted local input in shaping the bakkie’s identity in the South African market
• The brand acknowledges the name carries expectations it will need to live up to
• The competition approach mirrors a broader trend of global carmakers localising branding for the SA market

Under the Bonnet

The Chery Grootman is set to arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2027, built on a hybrid powertrain pairing a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with an electric motor. The setup is designed for serious work and off-road capability, aimed squarely at the competitive double-cab bakkie segment that remains hugely popular with South African buyers.

Preliminary specifications point to a combined output of 350kW and 800Nm of torque, with four-wheel drive as standard. The bakkie is expected to be rated for a braked towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, putting it in direct contention with established rivals in the one-tonne bakkie class.

Chery has not yet confirmed final specifications, local pricing or the full model line-up for the Grootman range. More detail is expected closer to the vehicle’s launch date in early 2027.

For Cape Town buyers who rely on bakkies for both work and weekend adventures — from Atlantis industrial routes to West Coast fishing trips — the arrival of a hybrid-powered double-cab with serious towing capacity will be one to watch as the local market’s electrified bakkie options continue to grow.

Source: Chery unveils ‘Grootman’ name for new hybrid bakkie in SA — Business Day