Chery South Africa has announced that its first one-ton pickup truck will be named Grootman upon its launch in the South African market early next year.
The Chinese automaker confirmed that its model, which is positioned as a response to the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, will carry the name Grootman in the local market. This decision followed a public campaign where over 20,000 name suggestions were received, which were then narrowed down to six options: Bakkie, Brahman, Chief, Orca, Nduna, and Grootman. A subsequent vote was held to select the final name.
Chery explained that 'Grootman,' rooted in the Afrikaans language and literally meaning 'big man,' has become a familiar South African expression of respect. It describes a person who has earned their position through experience, achievements, and a sense of responsibility.'
According to statements, a 'Grootman' is someone whose opinion matters at family gatherings or at the business table, and on whom one can rely for decision-making or problem-solving.
Chery SA denied rumors about the development of a smaller pickup named Mannetjie or a derivative model called Oompie.
For the Australian market, the vehicle has been assigned the unique name Stockman, which the company believes sounds better than Chery Bruce or Bogan.
Chery confirmed that Grootman will go on sale in South Africa in the first quarter of 2027, initially implying full import. Chery representatives previously indicated that local production is being considered at the recently acquired Rosslyn plant, which is planned to become operational in the second half of 2027. The Chery KP31 / Stockman model is actively being considered for assembly in South Africa.
Although local pricing and exact specifications have not yet been announced, Chery previously disclosed preliminary specifications for this pickup. Its 'Diesel Super Hybrid' powertrain combines a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine with an electric motor, delivering 350 kW of output power and 800 Nm of torque. This makes it more powerful than the BYD Shark, which produces 321 kW using a combination of a 1.5-liter gasoline and electric engine. Technically, it also surpasses the Ford Ranger Raptor with 292 kW, although the latter is not a direct competitor due to its advanced high-speed off-road equipment.
Nevertheless, thanks to standard all-season tires, a ground clearance of 247 mm, and a reinforced rear leaf spring suspension, the Chery pickup appears very well-suited for rural life. Furthermore, Chery states a towing capacity of 3,500 kg with brakes. In addition to performance advantages over competitors, Chery claims that the Grootman can travel up to 100 km solely on electric power.
This is a large pickup, measuring 5,450 mm in length and 2,010 mm in width, making it slightly larger than the Hilux at 5,320 mm and the Ranger at 5,350 mm, and very similar in size to the BYD Shark. The cabin is equipped with high-tech and digitized elements while retaining physical controls.
COO of Chery Australia, Lucas Harris, also stated that a gasoline version of Stockman will be available in Australia, with further details to be revealed in 2027. Harris noted: 'Stockman embodies Chery's vision for the next generation of double-cab pickups, combining exceptional performance with impressive efficiency and genuine capability. By offering both gasoline and diesel plug-in hybrid options, we can meet customer demands, whether for off-road performance or a more urban focus.'