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.
Lepas, part of the global Chery Group, will officially enter the South African market in February 2026, bringing a new vision of modern automotive elegance with the L4, L6 and flagship L8, the brand says.
After leading and contributing to an impressive 12 000 vehicle sales at Hyundai Automotive South Africa over a 16-year career, Siya Qamba has been rewarded with a senior executive role, effective January 2026.
We are ready to take the Audi nameplate to new heights in the province through Audi Centre Polokwane, the new flagship dealer in this region.
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Lepas, part of the global Chery Group, will officially enter the South African market in February 2026, bringing a new vision of modern automotive elegance with the L4, L6 and flagship L8, the brand says.
BYD has added another model to its line-up in South Africa. This time it is the Sealion 5, which slots in below the larger Sealine 6, which is also available locally.
Geely has formally returned to the South African market with the introduction of two new models, the fully electric E5 and the plug-in hybrid E5 EM i.
