{
  "id": 11250847,
  "title": "Nou praat ons! Chery's Hilux-rivalling bakkie is getting an Afrikaans name for South Africa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/nou-praat-ons-cherys-hilux-rivalling-bakkie-is-getting-an-afrikaans",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-01T17:51:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/2026-10-01-nou-praat-ons-cherys-hilux-rivalling-bakkie-is-getting-an-afrikaans-name-for-south-africa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chery South Africa has revealed that its upcoming one-tonne bakkie will be named the Grootman for the South African market. The decision stems from an extensive public outreach campaign that garnered over 20,000 name submissions, which were subsequently narrowed down to six contenders: Bakkie, Brahman, Chief, Orca, Nduna, and Grootman. Following a reopening of the public vote, Grootman emerged as the final chosen name. Derived from Afrikaans, Grootman translates to \"big man,\" an esteemed title in South Africa used to denote someone who commands respect due to their experience, accomplishments, and sense of responsibility. The name encapsulates the bakkie's essence, signifying a vehicle that's reliable and capable in both practical and challenging situations.\n\nDespite some speculation about a smaller bakkie named Mannetjie and a spinoff called Oompie, Chery South Africa has officially dismissed these rumors. The Grootman, however, is set to make its debut in South Africa during the first quarter of 2027, initially as an imported vehicle. Chery SA is reportedly considering potential local production at their newly acquired Rosslyn plant, slated to commence operations later in 2027.\n\nPreliminary specifications for the Grootman have already been disclosed, showcasing its powerful 'Diesel Super Hybrid' powertrain. This system combines a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with an electric motor, delivering outputs of 350kW and 800Nm. Competitively, this aligns with or surpasses the BYD Shark's output, which tops out at 321kW, and even outstrips the Ford Ranger Raptor with its 292kW. The Grootman's design also emphasizes capability, featuring standard all-terrain tyres, an impressive 247mm ground clearance, and heavy-duty leaf spring rear suspension. Additionally, it boasts a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg and the ability to travel up to 100km on electric power alone.\n\nIn terms of size, the Grootman measures 5,450mm in length and 2,010mm in width, positioning it slightly larger than the Hilux and Ranger while remaining comparable to the BYD Shark. Furthermore, Chery Australia's COO, Lucas Harris, announced plans for a petrol-powered variant of the Stockman, the company's other product in the same segment, for the Australian market. Plans for a non-hybrid diesel version for the South African market remain uncertain, leaving room for further discussion as the launch approaches.",
  "summary": "Chery’s first double-cab bakkie for South Africa will be getting a unique name when it arrives early next year. Preliminary specifications have also been announced.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}