Every Chinese-Built Bakkie Making Waves in South Africa

As the South African automotive market continues to evolve, Chinese manufacturers are making significant inroads by offering a compelling mix of affordability, modern features and performance. Once dominated by traditional brands, the bakkie segment is now seeing competition from the likes of GWM, JAC Motors, LDV, and Peugeot, each bringing unique strengths to the table.

Looking for a new or used Chinese bakkie? Find it here with CARmag!

GWM P-Series

The GWM P-Series, also known as the Poer in other markets (fortunately not in South Africa too), represents Great Wall Motors’ most advanced foray into the bakkie segment locally. Launched globally at the Chengdu Motor Show in 2019, the P-Series has made a significant impact in markets such as Australia, South America, and the Middle East. It reached South African shores in late 2020.

Image: GWM

Built on the new P71 platform, the P-Series is designed to handle both passenger and commercial needs with a focus on durability and versatility. Despite being the most premium offering on sale from GWM in South Africa at the moment, the Chinese firm intends on bringing the P500 bakkie, which is larger and more tech-filled into the country over the course of the year.

P-Series Fast Facts

  • Price: R694 950
  • Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel, four-cylinder
  • Power and Torque: 120 kW and 400 N.m
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Fuel Consumption: 9.4 L/100 km
  • Drivetrain: 4×4
  • Interior: Features high-quality materials, an advanced infotainment system with a touchscreen, leather seats, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
  • Safety: Equipped with multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Within GWM’s stables, buyers can also choose from the single and double-cab Steed 5 lineup which starts from R305 950.

JAC T9

The JAC T9, known as the Shuailing T9 in China, is JAC Motors’ latest entry in the bakkie market. Introduced globally in late 2021, it has found a following in Southeast Asia and South America. The T9 arrived in South Africa in early 2023 but has only just been revealed to the local motoring media courtesy of local port delays. This bakkie is built on JAC’s new ladder-frame chassis, which enhances rigidity and off-road capability.

Image: JAC

T9 Fast Facts

  • Price: R659 900
  • Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel, four-cylinder
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Power and Torque: 125 kW and 410 N.m
  • Fuel Consumption: 7.8 L/100 km
  • Interior: Practical and functional with a multimedia system, air conditioning, and comfortable seating.
  • Safety: Standard features include ABS, airbags, stability control, and rear parking sensors.

Related: Review: JAC T9 4X4 Super Lux

The JAC T9 offers a combination of robustness and modern amenities, making it a viable choice for those in need of a reliable and capable bakkie without breaking the bank.

LDV T60

The LDV T60, a product of SAIC Motor’s LDV brand (formerly Leyland DAF Vans), has been a versatile and affordable option since its global launch in 2016. It has garnered success in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and various parts of Asia. Built on a ladder-frame chassis, the T60 is designed for both commercial and personal use, promising durability and off-road capability.

Chinese Bakkies

Image: LDV

T60 Fast Facts

  • Price: R790 000
  • Engine: 2.0-litre biturbo diesel, four-cylinder
  • Power and Torque: 160 kW and 500 N.m
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Fuel Consumption: 9.3 L/100 km
  • Interior: Includes a touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, leather upholstery in higher trims, and ample cabin space.
  • Safety: Comes with a comprehensive safety suite, including multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, and stability control.

The LDV T60 double cab lineup features the more powerful T60 Max Luxe as the range-topper but also a more affordable 120 kW offering too. 

Peugeot Landtrek

Despite the Peugeot badge, the Landtrek is a bakkie developed in collaboration with Changan Automobile sharing a modern ladder-frame chassis shared with Changan’s Kaicene F70. Introduced in early 2020, the Landtrek has been gaining popularity in Latin America and Africa due to its blend of utility and Chinese-built affordability.

Landtrek Fast Facts

  • Price: R705 900
  • Engine: 1.9-litre turbo diesel
  • Power and Torque: 110 kW and 350 N.m
  • Transmission: 6-speed automatic
  • Fuel Consumption: 9.1 L/100 km
  • Interior: Features a large touchscreen infotainment system, premium upholstery, advanced driver assistance systems, and a spacious cabin.
  • Safety: Equipped with multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, hill start assist, traction control, and other advanced safety features.

The Landtrek arrived in South Africa in early 2021 and is earmarked to go into production at a Stellantis facility in the Eastern Cape by 2026 which could further broader appeal with affordability.

Foton Tunland G7

Recently, Combined Motor Holdings Limited (CMH) Group has been announced as the exclusive distributor of Foton vehicles in South Africa. This partnership signifies a shift towards innovation and accessibility in the local automotive landscape. Slated for a launch on 25 June 2024, Foton’s diverse LCV portfolio will include models such as the Tunland, Miler, View, eTruckmate, and the eAumark, reflecting the brand’s focus on performance, safety, and sustainability.

Chinese Bakkies

Image: Foton

Related: Foton Confirms Launch Date for New Bakkie in SA

 Tunland G7 Fast Facts

  • Price: TBC
  • Engine: 2.0-litre turbodiesel, four-cylinder
  • Power and Torque: 120 kW and 390 N.m
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual
  • Fuel Consumption: 7.4 L/100 km
  • Interior: Features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Safety: Equipped with multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, 360-degree camera 

Specs on the Tunland remain unconfirmed since Foton is yet to confirm the model details and pricing for South Africa.

Taking a look at each of these premium Chinese bakkies on offer at the moment in South Africa at the moment, do you think any have what it takes to unsettle the status quo of the segment?

Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

The post Every Chinese-Built Bakkie Making Waves in South Africa appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Topical tips on buying used – Chapter 1

Image
Buying a used car can be harrowing, whether privately or from a dealer. Here are some tips, as well as some things to watch out for. Beware of low mileages, especially on smaller or cheaper cars. It is always possible that the odometer has been turned back. Some things to bear in mind are:- diesels are often bought because they the driver needs to undertake long trips without consuming vast amounts of fuel. This could be a sales rep, or someone travelling large distances to work, lots of lengthy trip for family holidays, etc. So, usually higher mileages than normal. An expensive or luxury car may not see much time on the road, but very seldom a “workhorse”. This makes the executive cars likely to have a lot more life left than the overworked and abused hatchback. These also spend most of their life in a home garage or undercover parking lot at work. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 A vehicle without any service history is a serious disadvantage...
Read more

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem...
Read more

Porsche’s Panamera Goes Bulletproof in SA

Image
A first for the South African market, Armoured Mobility has handed the Porsche Panamera a bulletproof package. Here’s what you can expect…  Image: Armoured Mobility Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! Equipped with a B6 armouring package, Armoured Mobility has launched South Africa’s first-ever bulletproof Porsche Panamera. The Panamera model in question comes in the shape of the Turbo, which, seen here, has been “expertly” modified to withstand an array of ballistic threats. The Armoured Mobility-converted Panamera is bulletproof to rounds of rifles such as AK47s, and R1 and R5 rifles. According to the firm, the armouring kit it has handed to the German marque’s saloon sets a new standard for armoured vehicles on local shores, combining the safety provided by this package with luxury and without compromising the donor car’s style and performance. In fact, the company says the B6 protection-equipped Panamera represents the epitome of automoti...
Read more