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
Hyundai Automotive South Africa continues to experience exceptional consumer interest, with over 10 000 new vehicle finance applications received every month, which is 37% higher than last year.
This is in addition to the consistent sales of over 3 000 Hyundai vehicles monthly.
Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa shared these figures, noting that the brand’s appeal spans from entry-level models to premium offerings. “These numbers are more than just statistics as they represent empirical evidence of how deeply South Africans have connected with the Hyundai brand.”
The growing demand also aligns with Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to innovate and localise its offerings, ensuring products are well-suited to South African conditions and consumer needs. “Our vehicles continue to resonate with South Africans because we offer quality, reliability and value for money. These are the three things that matter deeply to our customers,” Stanley adds.
The constant flow of new vehicle finance applications reflects strong market confidence and align with national trends. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (naamsa) August 2025 New Vehicle Sales Statistics, credit conditions also continued to improve.

Household credit extension rose by 3.1% year-on-year in June, while private-sector credit growth firmed to 5.0% year-on-year, reflecting a gradual loosening in borrowing conditions that supported big-ticket spending, including motor vehicles.
To further support South Africans in realising their dreams of owning a Hyundai, the company is actively engaging with its financial partners to explore collaborative solutions that could improve finance approval rates.
“Recognising the financial pressures many consumers face owing to the rising cost of living, we are prospecting various financing models, including extended loan terms, tailored instalment plans as well as flexible payment holidays,” states Johan Nel, Sales Director at Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Netcare Diagnostics (a Netcare Group business) is introducing its first fully electric vehicles to its transport fleet, starting with shorter urban routes for collecting patient pathology specimens.
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.