Chery Names Its First South African Bakkie the Grootman for 2027 Launch

Chery South Africa has confirmed that its first-ever one-tonne bakkie will be called the Grootman when it launches locally in the first quarter of 2027, iol.co.za reported. The Chinese carmaker selected the name following a public naming campaign that drew over 20,000 submissions from motorists.

Rooted in Afrikaans and literally meaning big man, Grootman is a familiar expression of respect in South Africa. Chery stated that the moniker describes someone who has earned their standing through experience, achievement, and responsibility.

“Chery brings its Chinese heritage and global engineering expertise to this bakkie, and we wanted South Africans to have a hand in shaping its identity here,” Jay Jay Botes, general manager for Chery South Africa, said in a statement reported by carmag.co.za.

The vehicle is known as the KP31 and was developed on Chery’s Kaitan ladder-frame platform, according to carmag.co.za and TimesLIVE. The public outreach initially narrowed more than 20,000 suggestions down to six shortlisted names: Bakkie, Brahman, Chief, Orca, Nduna, and Grootman, before the final vote was held.

A Diesel Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Delivering 350kW

The Grootman utilizes a Diesel Super Hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with an electric motor and a battery pack. TimesLIVE reported that the system generates a combined output of 350kW and 800Nm of torque sent through a four-wheel-drive system.

That performance figure places the Chery ahead of several competitors in the local market. iol.co.za noted that the output exceeds the 321kW delivered by the BYD Shark and outpowers the 292kW Ford Ranger Raptor, though the Raptor serves a different high-speed off-road segment.

The plug-in hybrid setup also provides an electric-only driving range of up to 100 kilometres on the NEDC cycle, according to carmag.co.za. TimesLIVE reported that the hybrid system supports Vehicle-to-Load functionality, which allows the bakkie to supply electricity to external equipment such as power tools and camping appliances.

Grootman Exceeds Dimensions of Hilux and Ranger

Measuring 5,450mm in length, 2,010mm in width, and 1,890mm in height, the Grootman is slightly larger than the Toyota Hilux at 5,320mm and the Ford Ranger at 5,350mm, while matching the dimensions of the BYD Shark, iol.co.za reported.

The load box measures 1,560mm long, 1,560mm wide, and 500mm high, according to TimesLIVE. The vehicle features a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg, a payload capacity of 1,000kg, and a ground clearance of at least 230mm when fully loaded, according to carmag.co.za.

For off-road use, the bakkie comes equipped with standard all-terrain tyres and a heavy-duty leaf spring rear suspension. International specifications include three locking differentials, Crawl Control, and a Tight Turn Assist system.

Chery Names Vehicle Stockman for International Markets

While South African buyers will see the vehicle badge as the Grootman, Chery selected a different name for international markets. iol.co.za reported that the vehicle is named the Stockman in Australia, where Chery Australia COO Lucas Harris confirmed both diesel plug-in hybrid and petrol-powered versions will be offered. However, company representatives previously indicated that local production is under consideration at the firm’s newly acquired Rosslyn plant, which is scheduled to come online during the second half of 2027. Local pricing, model lineups, and final specifications remain unannounced.