Chery South Africa has named its first bakkie Grootman, with the new hybrid model scheduled to launch locally in the first quarter of 2027.
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The name was selected by South Africans and is derived from the Afrikaans term “grootman”, meaning “big man”. Chery says the name is associated with respect, experience and responsibility in South African culture.
The bakkie combines a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with electric power and four-wheel drive. Preliminary specifications point to combined outputs of 350kW and 800Nm.
Hybrid bakkie targets 3.5-tonne towing capacity
Grootman will have a braked towing capacity of up to 3,500kg and an electric-only range of up to 100km, although the latter figure is based on the NEDC testing cycle.
The bakkie's load box measures 1,560mm long, 1,560mm wide and 500mm high. Chery says ground clearance will be at least 230mm when the vehicle is fully loaded.
The hybrid system will also support Vehicle-to-Load functionality, allowing the bakkie to supply power to external equipment such as tools and camping appliances.
Chery has described Grootman as being developed on a dedicated hybrid platform, with four-wheel drive forming part of the initial specification.
Final specifications still to come
Jay Jay Botes, general manager for Chery South Africa, said the company wanted local consumers to have a role in shaping the bakkie's identity.
“Grootman is a word people use with respect, often for someone who has worked hard to get where they are and can be counted on,” said Botes.
Chery has not yet released final South African specifications, pricing or details of the local model line-up. These will be announced closer to the vehicle's launch.
The name announcement forms part of Chery's “The Grootman Has Arrived” campaign ahead of the bakkie's introduction to the South African market.
