Another Chinese brand enters SA

in the year), followed by V-series one-tonners next year.

Powering the newcomers are four-cylinder fuel-injected petrol engines, with the 1- litre based largely on Suzuki technology and the 1.3-litre sourced from a Honda design. The 1 012cc makes 35kw and 76Nm (and is available in single-cab guise only), while the 1 310cc is good for 58kw and 103Nm. Pricing is seriously competitive, with the range starting at R59 999 for the 1-litre single cab and ending at R84 999 for the 1.3-litre minibus.

Load capacity for the range is 500kg, with the single cab sporting a load box measuring 2 300mm by 1500mm; with a depth of 335 mm. Cargo space on the double cab measures 1 390mm by 1 400mm; with a depth of 335mm. Both variants come standard with dropsides for the load area, as well as protective bars across the rear window.

The panel van, with its enclosed loading space, offers 2 000mm x 1 320mm of space. There’s a rear hatch and a single sliding door on the left-hand side of the vehicle for loading.

The minibus version offers seating for six adults, each with an individual three- point seat belt.

Stand spec includes cloth seats, radio, 13” steel wheels, and front and rear fog lights. On the safety front buyers can expect disc brakes on the front wheels (drum brakes at the rear), while suspension is Mcpherson struts at the front and a solid axle with leaf springs at the rear.

And you can have it any colour, as long as it’s white.

The short ride and drive at the launch event in Pretoria last week presented a basic ( unloaded) bakkie with adequate power. Build quality didn’t seem up to scratch though with a door on a panel van coming completely off its hinges, and the engine management light on in the vehicles I drove (which the carmaker reckons was due to the speedo not being connected). The DFSK bakkies come with a 1-year/60 000km warranty.