Another Chinese bakkie joins the local contest
When it comes to car brands coming and going in SA, Geely is one of the familiar names. If you remember models like the Emgrand EC7, the cute LC hatchback, and the MK sedan, you’ll know that Geely once had a presence here — until it quietly pulled out of the market around 2015. Officially, it blamed tough competition and poor sales, but if you dig a little deeper, the story isn’t that simple. Geely never really disappeared. It kept its footprint alive globally through Volvo, which it owns.
Fast forward to today, and Geely is plotting a proper comeback, starting with something quite interesting: the Riddara RD6, a fully electric bakkie.
Before getting into specifics about the Riddara, it’s worth mentioning that Geely’s local strategy will also lean on partnerships. One of them is with Proton, in which Geely owns a 49.9% stake. If the Proton X50 rings a bell, well, in other parts of the world, it’s sold as the Geely Binyue. So technically, Geely has been around, albeit in a different outfit.
Having said that, Enviro Automotive, an importer and distributor of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) who previously brought EVs such as the Dayun Yuehu S5 compact SUV, will sell the Riddara RD6 locally. Sold in 4×2 and 4×4 guises, the Riddara RD6 is set to become the country’s first all-electric bakkie when it goes on sale in the coming month.
Both models come with a 73kWh battery pack with a claimed 424km of driving range. That is sufficient for day-to-day tasks, but for long-distance travel, it may leave you wanting more. Enviro Auto doesn’t quote the 4×2’s power output but says the 4×4 version has a 315kW and 595Nm dual-electric motor powertrain. The performance figures are impressive. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds before hitting the limiter at 190km/h. This is quite impressive, especially given that it’s a bakkie.
In the coming months, the local range is expected to expand with the introduction of the extended range 4×4 model, featuring a slightly bigger 86kWh battery pack. This should likely address the range anxiety issues for those who plan to use their pick-up for proper road trips or heavy-duty work. A smaller 63kWh-powered 4×2 variant is also expected to join the fray.
As for practicality, and this matters in LCVs, the Riddara RD6 boasts a proper 1-tonne payload, matching the likes of the JAC T9 4×4 (1,000kg), Isuzu D-Max 4×4 (1,060kg), and Nissan Navara Pro-4X (1,003kg). Plus, it can tow up to 3,000kg (braked), which should keep outdoor adventurers and weekenders happy.
When it comes to recharging the car, a 110kW charger can replenish the battery in 30 minutes. Not a novel concept, but the battery can be used to produce up to 6kW, powering site equipment or even household appliances, especially during power outages.
With pricing to be announced in the following months, both Riddara RD6 models come standard with a comprehensive 5-year/150,000km warranty and an 8-year/200,000km battery warranty.
All things considered, Geely’s return feels more calculated and more focused this time around, and if they price it right, the RD6 could stir up some real excitement in the local EV and bakkie scenes.
