PODCAST: Changan Hunter, Deepal continue Chinese bakkie influx

Changan and Deepal became the latest Chinese car brands to announce the roll out of bakkies in South Africa.

The two new entries to the local car market will add their names to BYD, Foton, GWM, JAC and LDV from the People’s Republic already active in the busy local bakkie space.

Changan’s local product portfolio will focus on traditional internal combustion powered vehicles. Its bakkie is called the Hunter that is based on the Peugeot Landtrek.

The Deepal brand specialises in new energy vehicles. The only certain thing about its local bakkie is that it will be an all-electric affair.

ALSO READ: Changan and Deepal brands officially approved for South Africa

Changan Hunter makes a Pitstop

In this week’s episode of The Citizen Motoring’s Pitstop podcast, we discuss the Changan Hunter and Deepal bakkies. While they are unlikely to make a dent in the sales numbers of the top three local bakkies, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max, they form part of a bigger picture that might eventually start flooding the local market. Very similar to what we have seen in SUV segments.

This is likely to erupt into an all-out price war which is when the Hilux, Ranger and D-Max can start feeling the pinch. They are all local manufactured alongside the Mahindra Pik Up, Nissan Navara and VW Amarok. Any impact on this sector can have a dire effect on the country’s overall manufacturing sector.

Landtrek sibling

The Changan Hunter is powered by the same 1.9 litre turbodiesel engine that serves in the Peugeot Landtrek. It will be interesting to see what the pricing will be. Since its local launch in 2021, the Peugeot has not set the sales charts alight, possibly due to its high price compared to other Chinese-built bakkies.

Changan will also be introducing the CS75 Pro to Mzansi alongside the Alsvin sedan.

Deepal will start with an all-electric crossover, the S07. Two SUVs and the bakkie are set to follow in 2026.

Yet another Chinese brand, Geely, is also set to return to South Africa in the near future.