# Chery Grootman vehicle development > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chery-grootman-vehicle-development > Updated: 2026-10-26T23:05:44.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Chery South Africa has announced the name for its upcoming one-tonne double-cab hybrid bakkie, the Grootman. The vehicle is scheduled for a local launch in the first quarter of 2027 and will be built on the Kaitan ladder-frame hybrid platform. The initial model is expected to feature a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with an electric motor, offering a combined output of 350kW and 800Nm of torque. Technical specifications for the Grootman include a braked towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, an electric-only range of approximately 100km, and Vehicle-to-Load functionality. While the current priority is the diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, a petrol PHEV variant is also planned for 2027. Mark Qi, the brand’s Chief Product Manager, stated that the Grootman platform—known as Stockman in Australia—possesses the technical capability to support the development of a three-row SUV. Although creating an SUV from the existing architecture is considered easy, the company has not officially confirmed any specific SUV models, noting that branding, market targeting, and pricing decisions are still required. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Chery Grootman platform capable of supporting SUV models Chery's Grootman platform is technically capable of supporting a three-row SUV, though no such model is currently confirmed as development depends on branding and pricing decisions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chery-grootman-platform-capable-of-supporting-suv-models ### 2026-10-01: Chery South Africa names upcoming hybrid bakkie Grootman Chery South Africa has named its upcoming hybrid bakkie the Grootman, following a public naming campaign. The vehicle is slated for a 2027 launch with a 350kW hybrid powertrain. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chery-south-africa-names-upcoming-hybrid-bakkie-grootman --- Cite as: Chery Grootman vehicle development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chery-grootman-vehicle-development