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
The Automechanika Johannesburg team has wrapped up a successful roadshow across six key African countries, aimed at engaging automotive aftermarket buyers and promoting the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg trade show slated for the 19th to 21st November 2024 at NASREC Johannesburg.
The roadshow, strategically planned based on exhibitor feedback, covered the most requested destinations for automotive trade engagement: Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; Kigali, Rwanda; Lusaka, Zambia; and Harare, Zimbabwe. This initiative was driven by exhibitor demand to strengthen connections across the continent.
In Lagos, Nigeria, the team was warmly received at the ASPAMDA Auto Parts Market, guided by Onyezor Jasper Any, Chairperson of the Foreign Trade Committee. The highlight was a joint presentation with Automechanika Dubai, showcasing the mutual benefits of both events to Nigerian aftermarket buyers.
Moving to Accra, Ghana, the team engaged with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Investment Promotion Agency, reinforcing the importance of industry collaboration and investment in the automotive sector.
Nairobi, Kenya, welcomed representatives from major automotive aftermarket companies eager to explore opportunities at Automechanika Johannesburg. The visit to Kigali, Rwanda, supported by Rwanda Investment Promotion, included a notable meeting with Volkswagen CEO Serge Kamuhinda, highlighting Rwanda's growing automotive potential.
The roadshow continued to Lusaka, Zambia, where local professionals showed keen interest, many of whom were attending their first Automechanika event. In Harare, Zimbabwe, the session attracted a large group of automotive professionals, with insights from Brighton Ganda of EY on industry trends and productive discussions with Zimtrade officials.
"We are thrilled with the outcome of our roadshow across Africa," says Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg. "The enthusiastic response from industry leaders and professionals underscores the growing importance of regional collaboration in the automotive aftermarket. We were warmly received wherever we went across the continent."
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.
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.
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Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
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.