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.
Motus Holdings Limited reported an improved operational performance for the six months ended 31 December 2025, with its South African operations remaining the primary contributor to Group performance.
Mazda South Africa has added a new model to its CX-3 range, one of the better selling nameplates of the brand.
Volvo Trucks South Africa recently announced its top achieving dealers for 2025, recognising excellence across 23 categories spanning over its full value offering, including parts, finance, service, uptime solutions, safety, and technical services.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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Mazda South Africa has added a new model to its CX-3 range, one of the better selling nameplates of the brand.
In the - dare one says - overcrowded bakkie market in South Africa, there is no slow-down in new bakkies coming to the country to take on the very well-established trio occupying the podium positions.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that its subsidiary, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd., is launching the all-new Gravite, a 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
