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• The Nissan NP200 is the only available half-tonner in SA
• Demand is so high; there is not enough stock
• Ford, VW and others should invest in half-tonners for the local market
Half-tonne bakkies are a sore talking point for Wheels24 readers because other than the Nissan NP200; there is nothing else available in the local market.
Other than expired licences, half-tonne bakkies are one of the most important topics our readers love to respond to.
Wheels24 reader, Ig van Eeden, is one of those people, and frankly, to phrase it nicely, he is livid about the situation.
Van Eeden says: "Articles, like the one posted on 8 May 2020, about half-tonne bakkies just upsets me, especially if articles like it is published as an April first joke, which happens each year.
READ | These three half-tonne double-cab bakkies could do exceptionally well in SA
"What I can't understand is how those overpaid, know it all, market researches convince those smart executives of RSA's motor companies, like VW and Ford, that there is not a market for a half-tonner bakkie in SA, while Nissan can't keep up with the demand for their NP200.
Which half-tonne bakkie do you think should be brought to the SA market? Please email us.
Ford Bantam - Image: Wheels24 reader Tim Anderson
"These same researches somehow convince their bosses that everyone in SA is just as rich as Jeremy Clarkson, and just as eco-driven. Anyone who watched Top Gear in the past knows that JC doesn't care about the environment, CO2 emissions, heavy fuel consumption, etc and because of his wealth, also doesn't care about the price or the maintenance costs of a vehicle. In the same manner, all big bakkies are expensive to buy, costly to maintain, and much more environmentally unfriendly than a smaller vehicle. Yet, automakers think it is better to concentrate on big double cabs that are super expensive. (Just like JC motor manufacturers concentrate on the wrong things).
"I mean nobody makes double cabs, right, so competition in this market is low (please note my sarcasm). Toyota doesn't have its Hilux or Nissan their NP300, or Ford its Ranger. I'm not even going to mention Isuzu, Fiat, VW, and Mitsubishi. I There is so little competition for huge double cabs that even Mercedes jumped in to build a truck (red: bakkie).
"The big bakkie market is already over competitive, every manufacturer has an offering. The slice of the cake available is so small for each manufacturer in this market, why don't they widen their horizon and see where there are other opportunities to gain?
Nissan NP200. Image: Quickpic
"I hope that another manufacturer would realize that the local market is hungry for a competitor to Nissan's NP200. The cost of living is becoming more expensive, and the drive for people to buy big bakkies and maintain them at high cost is becoming less.
"So in short, motor manufactures, please open your eyes and stop listening to your market researches, and bring back a couple of half tonne bakkies for the people of South Africa."
Disclaimer: Wheels24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of contributors/columnists published on Wheels24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24 or Wheels24.
