Chery, one of the major Chinese players in the South African automotive landscape, will build on its local success with the expansion of its range next year, with the inclusion of the new Himla bakkie.
Although there has been no final decision on the engine options or prices, the Himla bakkie with the Chery brand name behind it, will definitely draw a lot of attention.
Engine options will, in all likelihood, include a mixture of diesel, petrol and hybrid versions.
A Himla camping conversion, a mobile fortress for polar research, was also shown in China at the 2025 Chery Brand User Summit. Built on the robust bakkie platform, featuring a turbocharged 2.3-litre petrol engine, eight-speed automatic transmission with 420Nm of torque, it is designed as both a recreational camper and a mobile life-support base for professionals in extreme environments.
At the summit, Chery also showcased the possibilities of the platform on which the Himla is build.
These include a high-performance electric bakkie that shares the same exterior design and dimensions as its petrol-powered counterpart but gains extra power from an 88kWh battery pack that delivers a range of up to 510km.
At the summit, the world’s first seven-seat transformable multi-SUV concept was shown. Developed through global user research across several markets, this concept reflects Chery’s shift from “function-orientated” to “scenario-orientated” design, claims the manufacturer.
Built around nine family scenarios – from commuting and camping to outdoor sports – the vehicle adopts an innovative “6=1” concept, transforming between six configurations to meet 99% of family needs. In Large 7-Seat SUV Mode, it offers a true mobile home experience with ample interior space. Switching to Double-Cab Pickup Mode provides 600 litres of cargo capacity, while Camper Mode accommodates a full suite of outdoor accessories for exploration and leisure, says Chery.
Frustration with vehicle licensing offices owing to a lack of service delivery is nothing new, but in the Vaal Triangle it boiled over, especially for car dealerships whose business relies on vehicle registrations.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation (AMEO) remain locked in tense wage negotiations that could soon lead to a strike across South Africa’s major vehicle assembly plants.
The South African automotive industry has the potential to drive a new wave of industrialisation, one that is urgently needed in the country.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz
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