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
In a move to further cement its electric intentions, Opel earlier this week revealed its new emblem.
The new interpretation of its iconic emblem, the ‘Blitz’, will feature on production vehicles as early as 2024. It will continue to form a central element of the Opel Compass, one of the main features of the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker’s design philosophy, while simultaneously continuing to sit proudly at the centre of the Opel Vizor brand face.
The lightning bolt – or ‘Blitz’ in German – is closely associated with electricity, and the aim is to symbolise Opel’s approach to the era of electromobility.

“Our ‘Blitz’ is more relevant than ever before. It not only symbolises our commitment to the democratisation of innovation and mobility but it also conveys our commitment to becoming a fully electric brand in Europe by 2028. This year, we will already have fifteen electrified models in our portfolio and can proudly say that Opel is electric,” says Opel CEO Florian Huettl.
“The ‘Blitz’ is the icon for our Bold and Pure philosophy. The sharpened, confident new ‘Blitz’ intersects the pure supporting ring, giving our iconic emblem a progressive, modern look. It is positioned proudly at the centre of our compass, which is our key graphic design principle. The compass is the backbone of our front, rear and interior design elements,” says Mark Adams, Vice President design.
The German carmaker will gradually roll out the new ‘Blitz’ across its product portfolio in the coming years with the first production vehicle set to sport the new look in 2024.
However, Huettl announced that the new emblem will already feature prominently this year. “The IAA Mobility is one of the biggest motor shows in the world and therefore the perfect location to proudly introduce a large, international audience to our new ‘Blitz’. Furthermore, we also have a surprise planned. Visitors in Munich will be thrilled,” he says.
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.