{
  "id": 6132886,
  "title": "Here’s the price difference between Chinese and traditional bakkies – is brand loyalty still worth it?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/heres-the-price-difference-between-chinese-and-traditional-bakkies-is",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-07T11:45:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/business/heres-the-price-difference-between-chinese-and-traditional-bakkies-is-brand-loyalty-still-worth-it/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africans are facing a rising cost of living and diminishing purchasing power, making car purchases a more significant financial decision. In response, Chinese bakkie manufacturers are entering the market with feature-packed vehicles at prices that can undercut established rivals. Antoine Caradonna, founder of VehicleSA, notes that South Africans are increasingly prioritising value for money over brand loyalty. Chinese brands are gaining traction, selling around 10,700 vehicles in August 2026, or approximately 18% of total sales – up from 11,300 vehicles, or 21%, in the previous months. Chinese bakkies are roughly 31% cheaper than established competitors in the single-cab segment and 12% cheaper in the double-cab segment. This price difference becomes even more pronounced when considering monthly payments, with Chinese brands offering vehicles at a lower cost. For example, a double-cab Chinese bakkie, such as the Changan Hunter, can be purchased for around R6,100 a month, while established brands may offer similarly priced vehicles in the compact crossover category. The price gap is even more noticeable at the entry level, with Chinese brands like JAC offering a double-cab starting at R349,900, compared to established brands like Toyota, which start at R583,500. While established brands still hold significant brand equity, factors such as reliability and dealer networks remain important. However, Chinese manufacturers have disrupted the comparison by offering consumers more choice and the opportunity to obtain a bigger vehicle or higher specification without significantly increasing their monthly commitment.",
  "summary": "'Chinese bakkies are typically around 31% cheaper than established competitors in the single-cab segment.'",
  "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."
}