The Festival of Motoring at Kyalami kicked off its media and exhibitors’ day ahead of the public event running from August 28–30, featuring a dominant theme of new electric and hybrid crossovers and bakkies from Chinese automotive brands, highlighted by the local introduction of Geely’s electric Riddara brand and a sweeping array of alternative-energy utility vehicles.
Geely Brings Riddara Electric Bakkies to the Local Market
Geely Auto South Africa (GASA) introduced the Riddara brand, marking a significant push into the new-energy bakkie segment. According to businessday.co.za, the fully electric Riddara leans into lifestyle appeal rather than purely industrial utility. The vehicle launches with a lineup of three models offering choices between two-wheel and all-wheel-drive architectures. Pricing for the electric bakkie range starts at R611,900.
Expanding EV and Hybrid Crossover Offerings at Kyalami
Beyond the bakkie segment, the Kyalami event served as a major showcase for alternative-energy crossovers from various Chinese manufacturers. DongFeng showcased its expanding local portfolio by revealing the DongFeng Friday, a mid-size crossover utilizing a range-extender electric powertrain, slated for a domestic market release before the end of the year, as reported by businessday.co.za.
Changan added to the alternative-energy mix by introducing the Uni-S hybrid—distinguished visually by a hexagonal grille—alongside the compact Deepal S05. The S05 features range-extender electric vehicle technology and frameless door windows, complementing the larger, fully electric Deepal S07 already available to buyers.
Commercial Alternatives and Extended-Range SUVs
Other brands utilized the floor space to debut heavy-duty commercial derivatives and family-oriented SUVs. Commercial specialist LDV presented the T60 Max Plus, a high-end double-cab variant packed with special styling cues and expanded amenities, alongside the larger Terron 9. Meanwhile, JMC—operating under the Salvador Caetano umbrella—unveiled its Grand Avenue double-cab ahead of an impending market launch, sharing stage space with a new generation Vigus and the off-road-styled Dadao trim.
In the SUV space, Chery subsidiary iCaur unveiled the V27, its largest vehicle to date. According to businessday.co.za reporting, the V27 runs on a range-extender electric engine configuration consisting of a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine paired with twin electric motors and a 34.3 kWh battery pack. Positioned as a direct rival in size to the Land Cruiser Prado, the V27 is targeted for a local release prior to year-end with an anticipated price point under R1 million. Additionally, BAIC previewed its Arcfox compact crossover ahead of an October launch, while Haval debuted a facelifted Jolion Max featuring a plug-in-hybrid system.
The 30-Second Verdict
The Festival of Motoring demonstrates a rapid acceleration in the availability of Chinese-engineered electric, hybrid, and range-extender vehicles in the region. With Geely establishing a foothold in the bakkie market with the Riddara starting at R611,900, alongside diverse rollouts from DongFeng, Changan, LDV, JMC, iCaur, BAIC, and Haval, consumers face an increasingly electrified landscape across both commercial and lifestyle vehicle categories.
