Bakkie Fever / Bakkie Koors
Bakkie Fever, surely not stopping soon! Bakkie Koors, ontwyk al die pille!
June`s Naamsa figures again proved that the Bakkie figures showed their resilience and continued with their upward sales trajectory. Three of the top 5 selling vehicles are Bakkies! With the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max being in First third and fifth position, we continue to experience the amplitude of value of these vehicles.
These vehicles have become so ingrained in the South African automotive landscape that even tax regulations have had to create a separate category to accommodate their substantial contributions to revenue. Just before the SA Bakkie of the year competition revealed the 2023 crown bearer, Ultimate Mobility took the latest Toyota Hilux GR –Sport and the Isuzu 3.0 Ddi D/Cab 4x4 LSE A/T (τ) to discover first-hand what sets them apart from their competition. Considering Toyota's dominant market position in South Africa, where they consistently sell more than twice as many vehicles as their closest rival, Volkswagen, one cannot help but marvel at the impact they've had to date on the entire South African motor market. Their success story isn't limited to South Africa, as Toyota leads the global automotive industry—a remarkable achievement for a company hailing from a small island nation measuring just 377,973.89 km². Adding to the intrigue, both Toyota and Isuzu originate from the same island and were founded just a few years apart, with Toyota established on August 28, 1937, and Isuzu on March 30, 1934. Notably, close to the Island of Japan, the nation of Korea has also given rise to other automotive powerhouses like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, collectively holding a significant share of the international market.
This historical context sheds light on South Africans' affinity for these brands, especially since these vehicles are locally manufactured. Toyota has been serving South African motorists since 1961, while Isuzu joined their local production in 2006. Taking the wheel of the GAZOO racing GR-Sport, born as recently as 2007 with the motto "Pushing the Limits for Better," one quickly realizes that testing this sport-oriented Bakkie on conventional tarmac roads is a disservice. These vehicles are designed to excel in more demanding conditions, featuring their upgraded monotube shock absorbers and stiffer coil springs for a firmer ride and better road holding capacity. So the tarmac is therefore not the place to test and experience the rich history built into these sporty Gazoo racing machines, with their upgraded monotube shock absorbers and stiffer coil springs that provide a stiffer ride experience.
One can expect that the luxury driver centric items which relates to the price that has not put the sales down yet like the duel climate control, navigation, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, leather and suede trim, heated seats, an 8.0-inch infotainment system, a JBL sound system and even a sports bar included as standard will be part of the cravings set for the Toyota faithful. Our test drives took us through loose sand at Atlantis dunes and a refreshing trip to the Oakhurst Olive Estate in Tulbagh with the Olive Fundi, Carlo Costa, a Toyota owner himself, who couldn't have been more impressed with the ride quality on the farm roads and the picturesque winter landscape. While the GR-Sport may not meet a farmer's working vehicle needs, it has undoubtedly earned a place on the wish list of aspiring young farmers who've benefited from the previous season`s bumper crop, thanks to its 15 kW increase to 165 kW and a peak torque of 550 Nm. Seeing quite a few of the GR`s on the road, one may believe that the public is not too unhappy about the price!
Turning our attention to the Isuzu experience, one immediately feels at home. Isuzu has consistently delivered outstanding value in the South African market, maintaining its position as one of the leading bakkie brands on the road, even before establishing a production plant in 1978. Today, seven generations later, Isuzu proudly rolls its bakkies off the production line in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). I remember as a child in the early seventies, going hunting with the men, the LUV`s was used on many farms and at the turn of the decade, the ever so popular KB range was introduced. The current 3.0 Ddi D/Cab 4x4 LSE A/T (τ) bakkie with its 140Kw/ and 450Nm of torque, offers a decent fuel consumption for this capable engine, our urban driving gave us around 8.5 km per litre.
The Cabin experience is not as refined as some competitors, and there is no real Kingly status that the LSE offers, but everything is ergonomically practical, sturdy and done with the understanding that it is still a “bakkie” with much more to do than just going to the mall on weekends. The true essence of the 3.0 Ddi engine shines through when you delve into its impressive towing capacity of 3,500 kg (when braked). It's not just a vehicle for convenient daily commutes; it's a versatile workhorse that can handle a diverse range of tasks with ease. Originally designed to be a rugged "workhorse," these bakkies have evolved over time to meet the demands of modern consumers. As the need for luxury features emerged, manufacturers adapted, incorporating elements that are now standard for today's multifaceted use of these vehicles.
The SABOTY competition placed the finest details of these Bakkies under scrutiny to test and inspect the value aspects of these bakkies. Keep your eyes on the SABOTY page and give us your feedback on the 2023 winners in their respective categories. With the South African Bakkie of the Year (SABOTY) competition that meticulously scrutinized every aspect of these bakkies, just completed at Nampo Western Cape, one can understand why the sales figures are on the rise. Congratulations to the winners, we trust the next competition will be all inclusive. Get yourself to your closest dealer to go and experience the latest bakkies on offer. You may be quite surprized when you look at the offers from all the manufacturers!