By Xolile Hopa

South Africans have named Chery’s first-ever bakkie. It will be called the Grootman, and it is planned for a local launch in the first quarter of 2027.

The name is Afrikaans for “big man” and is widely used as a mark of respect for someone who has earned their standing and can be relied on. Chery says that suits the role a bakkie plays in many South African homes, whether it helps build a business or carries the family.

“Grootman is a word people use with respect,” said Jay Jay Botes, General Manager of Chery South Africa. He added that the name comes with expectations the company will have to live up to.

Chery’s Grootman bakkie will be powered by a hybrid system that pairs a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with electric power and four-wheel drive, delivering preliminary combined outputs of 350 kW and 800 N.m. The electrified drivetrain allows for an electric-only range of up to 100 km on the NEDC cycle. 

On the practical side, the bakkie is rated to tow up to 3,500 kg braked and has a load box measuring 1,560 mm long, 1,560 mm wide and 500 mm high. Ground clearance is no less than 230 mm when fully loaded, while Vehicle-to-Load functionality means owners can run tools and camping appliances directly off the vehicle. Chery has said final specifications will be confirmed closer to the local launch, planned for the first quarter of 2027.