Haval/GWM Cars

GWM P-Series in SA: sales by body style revealed

Which body style – single cab or double cab – is driving the GWM P-Series bakkie range’s overall sales volume in South Africa? We have the figures…

- Year-to-date sales figures revealed
- Double cabs account for over 88%
- P300 single cab reaches 567 units

Ever wondered about the GWM P-Series’ sales split between the single- and double-cab body styles in South Africa? Well, we have some intriguing information that sheds a little light on the topic.

Yes, Andrew Hibbert, Lead Data Analyst at Lightstone Auto, recently shared a fascinating sales statistic with Cars.co.za, confirming to us that GWM South Africa registered 4 204 units of its P-Series in the local double-cab segment over the opening 8 months of 2026.

According to our records, which are based on figures reported to Naamsa, the Chinese automaker has sold a total of 4 771 units of the P-Series – across both the single- and double-cab segments – year to date, at the end of August 2026 (almost matching its 2025 tally of 4 926 units).

A spot of arithmetic therefore suggests that GWM has registered 567 units of the P300 single cab during this 8-month reporting period. That translates to 11.9% of the bakkie’s overall figure, with the double-cab body style thus accounting for the remaining 88.1%.

 
The new GWM Tank 500 diesel is a genuine threat to the Everest & Prado

With the Tank 500 diesel, GWM engineers have created a real rival to the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the powerful Ford Everest V6 diesel. But what are the numbers and technical features you really need to know about when comparing these three luxury SUVs with real all-terrain ability?

GWM’s Tank sub-brand has proved that Chinese automakers can build body-on-frame SUVs capable of challenging established heavyweights like the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Ford Everest. Yet, while the Tank 300 has been a great brand builder for the brand, the larger GWM Tank 500 has struggled locally. The Chinese brand’s flagship SUV features a luxurious cabin, generous interior space and competitive off-road driving geometry, but it lacked a diesel engine. When you are competing in a segment dominated by the Prado and Everest, diesel powertrains matter.

Since its introduction in late 2024, the Tank 500 has been available only with a 2.0-litre turbopetrol HEV powertrain. Because it is a traditional hybrid rather than a plug-in, efficiency gains are modest. Combined with a heavy kerb weight, the Tank 500 HEV’s real-world fuel consumption proved too steep for many South African luxury 4×4 buyers.

For local Tank fans, the puzzle was why GWM did not initially share the P500 double-cab bakkie’s 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with the Tank 500. That oversight is now rectified, with the Tank 500 finally receiving the powertrain it always needed: a high-output four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel.

Torque talk: Size matters under the bonnet

GWM’s new ‘big four’ turbodiesel adds significant pulling power to the Tank 500.

Driven by strong demand for oil-burners across Australia and African markets, GWM developed this new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine to answer the call for robust low-end grunt.

Rated at 170 kW and 620 Nm, the Tank 500 diesel matches the working torque required for heavy-duty applications, providing a smooth delivery through a nine-speed automatic transmission. With plenty of gearing flexibility, the transmission optimises available torque and delivers responsive throttle input, particularly when towing or travelling with the Tank 500 fully loaded.


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5 double-cab bakkies with the most torque (2026)

Which double-cab bakkies currently available in South Africa offer the most torque? We’ve sorted through the spec sheets to find out…

While power figures tend to grab the headlines, torque is ultimately what gets the job done, particularly when it comes to light-commercial vehicles. So, which double-cab bakkies currently on South Africa’s new-vehicle market boast the most torque?

Well, we’ve painstakingly sorted through the double-cab segment to pick out the torquiest contenders. Interestingly, the top 5 includes turbodiesel, turbopetrol, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and fully electric powertrains.

These are the 5 double-cab bakkies that currently offer the highest peak-torque figures, ranked by sheer pulling power (all pricing is correct in October 2026). Note that the JAC T9 PHEV will soon launch locally, set to slot into 2nd spot with 674 Nm.

In addition, keep in mind that the GWM P300 PHEV is in the pipeline for South Africa, potentially offering total system torque of 750 Nm – enough to grab 1st place. And the Chery Grootman (scheduled to arrive in the opening quarter of 2027) is slated to make a whopping 800 Nm from its diesel PHEV powertrain…

1. BYD Shark 6 Performance – 700 Nm

2. GWM P500 3.0TD – 620 Nm

3. Ford Ranger 3.0TD V6/VW Amarok 3.0TDI V6 – 600 Nm

4. Geely Riddara RD6 Apex AWD – 595 Nm

5. Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0T V6 – 583 Nm

 
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