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
UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA) continues to make strides in the local automotive industry, securing three prestigious awards at the Naamsa Accelerator Awards.
The awards ceremony, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, marked the conclusion of a week-long celebration of South Africa’s automotive achievements with a 100-year anniversary, culminating in an inspiring awards ceremony.
Filip van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa, says it was an absolute honour to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa and discuss the importance of innovation and sustainability in South Africa’s automotive future. “His passion for developing the industry and creating opportunities for all South Africans resonates deeply with our mission at UD Trucks."
The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the awards ceremony, where UD Trucks Southern Africa received three major recognitions for its contributions to transformation and empowerment in the medium-heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) sector. The accolades included:
Job Creator – MHCV Employment Award
Youth Empowering MHCV Mana Award
Women Empowering MHCV Mana Award
Filip expressed his pride in the company's achievements, stating: "These awards are a testament to our unwavering dedication to transformation and empowerment across the industry. At UD Trucks Southern Africa, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is the key to driving progress, not only within our company but throughout the broader automotive landscape."
Janet Frost, Director of Human Resources at UD Trucks Southern Africa, echoed this sentiment: "Transformation is at the heart of what we do. Our programmes, such as the YES (Youth Employment Service) initiative, have successfully led to permanent employment for several candidates, creating pathways to lasting careers.
“Additionally, our Ultimate Women Programme is breaking new ground by extending beyond the trucking industry to include bus driver training, further promoting gender inclusivity in historically male-dominated fields," Janet 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.