Conceptually developed as a research project for the B.A. Honours degree in Industrial Design, UJ student Sipho Mvundla has created a virtual rendition of a hybrid bakkie tailored for diverse industries across the South African context. 
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Besotted with bakkies, the South African market for the ubiquitous vehicle has evolved over the decades, from utilitarian and unrefined yet practical companions into some highly stylish and premium offerings that include all the creature comforts found in luxury SUVs. Despite this evolution, the majority of bakkies sold within South Africa are prepared for the global market and thus don’t cater to the comprehensive needs of all locals.
While several ranges and iterations of bakkies are available for purchase locally, with a lineup comprising workhorse to premium, there still seems to be a vacancy for a compact, yet affordable and basic solution to an open bed hauler developed and built in South Africa. UJ student Sipho Mvundla conducted research in the development of a conceptual hybrid bakkie platform that would be better suited to several industries in the South African context. Named Bok, the final result has yielded a stylish unibody bakkie that could take the reigns from the now-defunct Nissan NP200.
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Chief design parameters include addressing practicality over extravagant features, a hybrid powertrain for zero emissions operation and lower fuel costs and a clean aesthetic which would help foster market acceptance. Following a user-centred design approach and field research with current bakkie users, Bok would opt for a hybrid powertrain to aid in operation and fuel savings yet mitigate reliance on the strained national grid. This would also align itself with socially responsible business practices in the pursuit of a more environmentally conscious future.
Mvundla adds: “Its theoretical hybrid engine combines the efficiency of a downsized gasoline engine with the power and torque of an electric motor to provide strong acceleration and low fuel consumption. It can operate in all-electric mode during city driving and seamlessly switch to the gasoline engine for longer journeys or when more power is needed.”
This honours project, completed in 2023, followed the systematic design process which includes the aforementioned market and user research prior to conceptualisation. Analysis of existing bakkies offered into the market combined with initial concepts was conducted ahead of the idea evolving into the first visual representations in the form of sketches and drawings. These 2D representations were presented for user feedback in ushering in the most viable solution. Finally, CAD software was used to generate an interactive 3D model which combined the feedback and refined ideas into the final images presented here.
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With Toyota unveiling the highly versatile yet utilitarian-styled Stallion into the global market last year, it seems as though the Japanese manufacturer would only find it viable to sell in South Africa if it can produce it at the firm’s Durban Prospecton plant. Regardless, a more basic and unibody bakkie which could replace the Nissan NP200, which will conclude production in the next few weeks would still generate significant interest.
