Chery will launch its new Himla in South Africa. Could the new bakkie elevate the Chinese automaker’s market presence further?
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Anyone who’s kept an eye on Chery over the last few years would have noticed the Chinese automaker’s upward journey in South Africa. Since its re-entry into the local market in 2021, the Chinese brand has managed to shake off its old reputation and establish itself as a serious player, thanks to a fresh product line-up, vehicles that offer good value at their respective price-points, and a dealer network that’s grown rapidly.
Related: Chery Confirms Hilux Rivaling Himla Bakkie for SA
Models like the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro have found favour with thousands of South Africans, and now, Chery is gearing up for what might be its boldest move yet – stepping into the bakkie market with the all-new Himla. Unveiled at the 2025 Auto Shanghai Motor Show, the Himla is Chery’s first proper double-cab bakkie, and it’s heading to South Africa either later in 2025 or, more likely, in 2026. What makes this so significant?
Well, our market’s double-cab segment is as competitive as they come. It’s the sales foundation for brands like Toyota, Ford, and Isuzu with their respective Hilux, Ranger, and D-Max ranges. For many South Africans, a bakkie isn’t just a vehicle – it’s a way of life. And if Chery can win over that audience, it could take the brand’s local image to an entirely new level.
The Himla – In A Nutshell
So, what exactly is the Himla? It’s a body-on-frame bakkie, which Chery is pitching up against the aforementioned big names and even fellow Chinese offerings like the GWM P-Series and Foton Tunland G7. It’s a bold move, but Chery clearly sees an opportunity to grow its influence in the segment. And it plans on grabbing it with both hands.
The Himla started life as the “KP11” concept, first shown to South African media in 2024, and what we saw at Auto Shanghai 2025 looks close to production-ready. Under the hood, expect a Chery-developed turbodiesel engine, which will be the mainstay option for South Africa, where diesels still rule in this category. There’s also talk of a hybrid version, and even an electric model for certain markets, though those might not land here right away. A turbopetrol option is also under consideration for select markets.
Related: Chery Planning Hybrid Takeover With 19 New Models Plotted for 2025
The Himla’s design shows that Chery is not messing around. The show vehicle stood on 19-inch black alloy wheels with beefy tyres. Inside, it’s got the modern features South African buyers have come to expect – a big, centrally mounted infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster take centre stage. We don’t yet know if Chery will offer the Himla in a single-cab form, but for now, the double-cab seems to be the focus.
Worth Waiting For?
So, will, or could, the Himla help elevate Chery’s standing in South Africa? If they get the pricing, durability, and after-sales support right, then yes – absolutely. The Himla gives Chery a shot at one of the most loyalty-driven vehicle segments in the country. Bakkie buyers don’t just want comfort and tech; they want a vehicle that can take a beating and still ask for more. If Chery can prove the Himla has what it takes to do that, it could mark a big shift in how the brand is viewed but it would be unreasonable to expect it to immediately ruffle the feathers of the mainstream players from the get go.
In short: Chery wants a seat at the big table. And if the Himla delivers, that seat might not be too far off…
