Another factor was that the manufacturers’ were not always present themselves and used third parties to import the vehicles. Their brands and service could not, in the majority of cases, live up to the expectations in terms of after-sales service, competitiveness, quality and endurance.

Some did manage and some decided to focus on other more commercially orientated ranges from their Chinese makers as the traditional double cab bakkie in South Africa was to a larger extent fulfilling the role of a passenger vehicle. This is something that was, even at tempting prices, out of reach of Chinese manufacturers.

But did the tide turn! Everyone knows that the latest generations of Chinese vehicles, brought in by the manufacturers themselves in most cases, did undergo a reinvention like few other car builders could manage in such a short space of time.

Look at what was shown during the auto show in Shanghai in China recently. Chery, one on the ten top brands in terms of sales volumes in South Africa, revealed their Himla bakkie that will eventually come to South Africa. It will join other Chinese bakkies like GWM’s P-Series and Steed, LDV’s T60 ranges, Foton’s Tunland, BYD’s Shark6 and JAC’s T6, T8 & T9 not to mention more workhorse orientated offerings from DSFK and Ashok Leyland on the other end of the scale.

Some of the new generation bakkies have battery electric architecture and will be available with normal internal combustion engines, plug-hybrids or as fully electric vehicles, like the Maxus T90 double cab leisure bakkie (already here) and the forthcoming Geely Riddara RD6.

The salvoes fired at the established bakkie brands do not only come from China.

Korean manufacturer Kia’s boldly styled Tasman bakkie will surely capture the imagination, and its success will be based on the brand’s good reputation and definitely the ‘you-can’t-not-see-it’ styling. Remember the Koreans, both Kia and Hyundai, have cut out their own niche with the Hyundai H100 Bakkie and the Kia K2700, both forward-cab workhorses.

Indian giant, Mahindra’s Pik Up is one of the top selling single cab bakkies in South Africa, and its double cabs are just as popular in the lifestyle segment. Mahindra is working on successors, and the brand knows how to surprise the market.

Do not forget European bakkies like the Peugeot Landtrek (basically the same as the Chinese Shangan Hunter bakkie), with the manufacturer expanding its offerings with single cab workhorses for the commercial sector being added and the possibility of it been built locally at some stage. There are also niche players like the Jeep Gladiator double cab, a cool toy with serious off-road credentials.

All these aforementioned bakkies are up against the Japanese brands and one ‘American’ brand that still dominate the local market as well as the export market. No introduction necessary for the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Land Cruiser 79 ranges, bakkie icons across the world.

Add the names of fellow Japanese bakkie brand Isuzu and the ‘American’ brand in the form of the Ford Ranger, which also sells re-badged Rangers as Volkswagen Amaroks.

The trio – Toyota, Ford and Isuzu – not only excel in locals sales, both for the leisure and the light commercial market, but shine in exporting their South African built bakkies worldwide. Behind them is Nissan with the ever-popular Navara and two other Japanese bakkie brands with solid reputations, Mitsubishi’s Triton, and Suzuki with its small Super Carry commercial bakkie.

All the bakkies available in South Africa are manufactured in China, Japan, India or Thailand, or built locally here in South Africa.

With limited slices of the leisure and light commercial vehicle (LCV) cake available, only time will tell who will get a slice and who will leave the table before starving.