DrivenIntel

17/09/2026

16/09/2026

THE BAKKIE WARS JUST GOT LOUDER.

South Africa's double-cab battlefield has a new heavyweight contender.

has officially launched the 3.0TD locally, and it's clear the brand isn't playing catch-up anymore—it's coming straight for the Hilux, Ranger and D-Max segment with a premium diesel offering that packs serious muscle.

Under the bonnet sits a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, producing 170 kW and a massive 620 Nm of torque, paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. On paper, those are the kind of numbers that immediately put it into conversations that matter for South African buyers.

The numbers that matter
- 170 kW of power
- 620 Nm of torque
- 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6
- 9-speed automatic gearbox
- Up to 3.5-ton towing capacity
- Available in both 4×2 and 4×4 variants.

Why this launch matters

The premium bakkie market has been dominated by familiar names for years, but that's changing fast.

Chinese manufacturers are no longer competing on price alone—they're bringing bigger engines, more technology, premium interiors and serious capability. The P500 arrives at a time when South African buyers have more choice than ever before, and that's only making the competition hotter.

The question now is whether GWM has done enough to convince loyal Hilux and Ranger owners to make the switch.

Let's settle it in the comments.

If you had R800,000 to spend today, which keys are you taking home?

- Toyota Hilux
- Ford Ranger
- Isuzu D-Max
- GWM P500

Tell us your pick—and more importantly, why.
GWM HAVAL South Africa

06/09/2026

The future.. arrived yesterday...

30/08/2026

What's cooking good looking..?
JMC South Africa could not give me more about this beast, but for all we had from the Festival of Motoring , this neck turner is still brewing.. based on their which comes in with a 2.5Ltr turbo diesel, 155kw motor, producing 400Nm or torque, we can only speculate, that will be the minimum spec for the
Price still to be revealed, but we're guestimatinf here a figure around the R650k bracket, not back for this fully kitted dynamite.

23/08/2026

THE DUSTER JUST GOT SERIOUS. 🇿🇦🔥

Renault has just shaken up the South African SUV market.

The new India-built Renault Duster has arrived — and this time, Renault has gone after the one thing that matters in this segment:

VALUE.

Starting at R339,999, the new Duster undercuts the previous generation significantly, while bringing a 1.0 Turbo entry point and the familiar 1.3 Turbo with 116 kW and 260 Nm.

And then there's the styling…

More aggressive.
More rugged.
More modern.

It's still recognisably Duster — but this one looks ready to take on a very different battlefield.

At this price, the question becomes:

Can the Duster take the fight to the likes of the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Corolla Cross and the growing army of Chinese SUVs?

Because South Africa's SUV war just got another serious contender. 👀

DrivenIntel — Automotive Intelligence in Motion.

18/08/2026

THE BAKKIE WAR IS ABOUT TO GET VERY INTERESTING. 🇿🇦🔥

Chery isn't coming to South Africa to make up the numbers.

The brand is preparing to enter one of the toughest segments in our market with its new double-cab bakkie — and South Africa will reportedly have a hand in giving it a name.

The Chery KP31 is expected to arrive in SA in 2027.

And let's be honest… once Chery enters the bakkie battlefield, the conversation changes.

Hilux. Ranger. D-Max. Triton. GWM.

Now add Chery to the fight. 👀

The question isn't whether the competition is coming.

It's how much pressure the established players are about to feel.

🇿🇦 South Africa will name it. 2027 is when we meet it.

DrivenIntel — Automotive Intelligence in Motion.

16/08/2026

THE BAKKIE WAR HAS CHANGED. 🇿🇦🛻🔥

For decades, South Africa's bakkie battlefield has had one name sitting at the top.

TOYOTA HILUX.

And right now? It's still the king.

July 2026 saw the Hilux smash through the 4,000-unit mark, while South Africa's overall vehicle market grew 11.9% year-on-year.

But here's where things get VERY interesting...

The challengers aren't slowing down.

🇨🇳 CHERY IS COMING.

Not with one bakkie.

Not even two.

THREE.

🔥 HIMLA — Chery's Hilux/Ranger-sized contender.

🔥 KP31 — a much more ambitious diesel plug-in hybrid double cab, expected to sit above the Himla.

🔥 TIGGO V — an unusual modular SUV/bakkie concept that could bring something completely different to the segment.

Chery has confirmed all three for South Africa, with the first arrivals expected from Q4 2026.

And Chery isn't walking into an empty room.

We've already got:

🛻 Ford Ranger
🛻 Isuzu D-Max
🛻 GWM P-Series
🛻 Mahindra P*k Up
🛻 JAC T-Series
🛻 BYD Shark 6
🛻 Foton Tunland
🛻 LDV T60
🛻 GWM's growing lineup
…and more coming.

The Chinese manufacturers aren't simply bringing cheaper alternatives anymore.

They're bringing hybrids, technology, aggressive styling, impressive specifications and serious competition.

And this isn't just a bakkie story.

Chinese brands accounted for more than 19% of South Africa's passenger and LCV sales in Q1 2026.

That's nearly one in every five vehicles.

So here's the question for South Africa:

CAN ANYONE ACTUALLY BREAK THE HILUX'S GRIP?

Because Toyota may still be king...

…but the challengers are no longer knocking politely at the door.

They're coming through it. 🇿🇦🔥

👇 If you had the money TODAY, which bakkie are you buying?

HILUX? RANGER? D-MAX? OR ONE OF THE NEW CHINESE CONTENDERS?

Tell us.

DrivenIntel — We Drive The Conversation.

15/08/2026

Yes we are...

15/08/2026

We showed up, we caught it in 4k for you.. zero edits, just adrenaline and and one good time..!! This was the 2024 closing show with , continuing celebrating 50 years of

07/08/2026

🇿🇦 TWO CHERY BAKKIES. ONE MISSION.

South Africa's bakkie segment is about to get a serious shake-up.

Meet the Chery Himla and the KP31—two all-new pickups developed to take on the biggest names in the business.

The Himla is built for the traditional bakkie buyer, combining diesel power, 4x4 capability and serious towing credentials for work and adventure alike.
Then there's the KP31. Chery's next-generation flagship is expected to introduce diesel plug-in hybrid technology to the segment, blending impressive capability with cutting-edge efficiency.

With the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton dominating South African roads for decades, the arrival of these two newcomers could be one of the biggest stories in the local automotive industry.

The question is no longer whether Chinese manufacturers can compete...
It's whether they're ready to lead.
If these landed in South Africa tomorrow, which one would be parked in your driveway—the Himla or the KP31?

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