I think if We speak loud enough ..Suzuki will give us a small bakkie at a good price...they sharp with small vehicles

Nissan 1400/1200 didn't have a ladder chassis it was monocoque or semi-monocoque, it was rear wheel drive. Indestructible , simple, reliable and cheap to run and maintain. The 1200's had drum brakes in front which was the worst you can imagine. The cab was very small for the 1.8m male but you could squeeze in. From that same era I can remember the 1200 Mazda and Toyota. My father had a 3/4 ton Toyota Corona 1965 bakkie with a 1500 engine later upgraded to 18R 2l. There were a Corona Mk2 with a1900 engine also both monocoque designs built from modified Corona cars. From that era I can also remember the legendary Peugeot 404 pickup, rear wheel drive. Then there were El Camino, Ranchero, Volkswagen Kombi and Mercedes Ponton pickup trucks. These were all modified from cars models. In those days before the Hilux the serious bakkies were the Ford F and Chev C10 Custom, International Harvester Pickup and probably many more that I don't remember. There is a huge need for a small bakkie especially for cities where you need to get into small spaces. Many loads are light in weight but big in volume or just to heavy to put into a panel van by hand.

My father and grandpa each had a VW golf bakkie (later became the caddy bakkie). Was a very handy vehicle at that time!

Nissan 1400 Champ will forever be the half-ton king.

I work for a large construction company. We buy the NP 200's for our formen and artisans. We use them like wheelbarrows... they are cheap and we work them into the ground. It's sad that there's going to be no replacement.

Nissan Champ was the rock on which this country was built.

Remember Toyota had a 1200 Toyota bakkie as well...I had one (inherited from my father...more handed down) which served me very well...until stolen from ISCOR parking in 1993!!! It was basic but it ran very well and also very light on fuel!

Nissan 1400 is an absolute legend. In the EC we call it "ibotsotso"

The VW caddy and the Chevrolet utility to me were the 2 best FWD half ton bakkies

You can't fit a motorcycle, bed, fridge, sofa, kayak, ladder etc in a crossover. Half ton bakkies are great.

I think a big reason for half tonners going extinct is that delivery and courier services are becoming much more extensive and ubiquitous. Most people don't need a bakkie to collect furniture, appliances and other large items on occasion anymore.

This Toyota bakkie would be a hit. The Dacia union with Toyota would work just fine if Toyota was willing to cooperate with other companies

Thanks Ciro for bringing the status of the half ton bakkies, very informative.

I really enjoyed this video. What a way to approach the channels 800th video. Super Stoked for you guys 🎉.

IN Brazil they have a polo based bakkie... it would probably be very popular down here.

I had a bantam in the late nineties and early 2000's, was a good dependable work horse, over 500k kms. I then got a Fiat Strada x space currently on 310k kms, also a gem of a bakkie. Can't understand why all the manufacturers don't offer new 3/4 ton bakkies like they used to. We all know they would sell like hot cakes. .

I like these videos in addition to the car review. Enjoyed the one about the Golf R as well.

Thank you Ciro, Cars. U gave us a comprehensive status of the bakkie market in SA.

If they make a Hilux Quest, they should try a Short Wheel Base Single Cab. That could be their 3/4 ton Bakkie.

The stallion was my transport to school in the early 2000s and the description of matchbox was accurate, loved it as the venture though with the early crossover vibe

My first company cars in 2005 were two Nissan 1400s, then four Bantams, a Nissan Np200, one Opel Corsar utility then three Chev Corsar Utility vans and now we only have two Chevrolet Viva utility vans. That's 12 half tone cars between 2005 and 2017. That's how much we need these cars as small companies. We also do a lot of gravel road. We were looking to replace the Chev Viva vans with the Nissan Np200 next year, now we're out choice. I really don't understand the reason behind every manufacturer stopping producing them. Here in Swaziland they were bought left right and centre. Even if I go to South Africa, I see a lot of them on the roads. One thing I fear about the Toyota Quest based half tone van is the front suspension. You need bakkie based control arms for that not sedan control arms. Otherwise it would fail.

Thank you Ciro, for the very informative video... While I find it a shame that the half tonner bakkie is a dying breed, it is true that there is almost nothing a "compact" SUV cannot do that a half ton bakkie used to do, except maybe load a 1.8m high fridge, some pig dung for the garden, or so... Well, I suppose if you really wanted to load half a ton of pig dung in the back of your SUV you could, if you are keen to live with the smell afterwards - lol. Fact is, for the most part, whatever else you would load on a Ford Bantam, now also goes into the back of a Rav4 for instance. Just throw the rear seats down and you have a pretty impressive load bay with a canopy to boot! Add to that, the ever practical roof racks, which you can use to load your surfboards on, if you have the cross members. In fact, in the case of the RAV4; with the rear seats folded, it's rear space is considerably longer than a Hilux Double Cab. I know, I had a Hilux double cab (which was stolen out of a "secure", booth controlled, mall parking, after just 2 months of ownership)! I decided, if they want these Hilux double cabs so badly, then they must keep them. I will never own a Hilux or even a Fortuner again. I got myself a RAV4 (AWD) with a tow hitch instead and have never looked back! It can do all the weekend jobs and carry the entire family on long trips in absolute comfort! An incredible all rounder! There is no need for a weekend car AND a half ton bakkie any more! The SUV (especially with a tow hitch) does it all! And that is (unfortunately for the half ton bakkie (and sedan)) the simple and perhaps somewhat sad reality.

It is true, but we need to have a bakkie that can be used as that, True it needs to be a bit tough and reliable. I do agree it also needs to be prise wise, because we are flooded with big bakkies at reasonable pricing, A well priced small bakkie, versitile and good looking with all the features will be a yes in my openion. a good town runner that we can use as a fun weekend vehicle for all the outdoor activities, Thank you was doing alot of research in this segment.

Very Informative and just as interesting.We (Soweto) referred to the Stallion as ikirievai (wheelbarrow). That tag also adhered quite well to cling onto the Toyota Venture marques. Fascinating video. Thznks Cars.coza.

the reason Toyota SA did not go ahead was because of its commitment to meet export demand for the Hilux & Fortuner..........the Prospecton plant didn't have another line available........

I've often wondered about this exact thing, thanks for the interesting video.

Nice one, very informative 👌👌

We need the VW Saveiro in SA yes it is left hand drive in Brazil and is expensive to change to right hand drive but they will rule the market 🎉❤

Very informative video, thanks!

Ciro, I recall the podcast interview you did with that German lady from VWSA and, if I can recall correctly, she said that they are considering bringing in a 3/4 ton bakkie some time in the future. Now would be the perfect time for a VW to enter the market with one considering there's only the NP200 currently on offer.

I've had a NP200 on a farm with a large dirt for 12 years and I have been very happy and here are my thoughts. 1 The tyres are too small. 2 It is not suited to dust roads with dust coming in through the ventilation when you open a window which clogs up the doors. 3 Front wheel drive is not the issue as the commentator claimed. 4 The way the front of the bin folds into the cab allowing longer lengths to be loaded while giving a cab and a quarter is genuis.

Very informative video!

My 2009 Corsa Utility 1400 is still going strong. 89000km. I am constantly been approached by the public and been asked if I want to sell it. I'm sad this 1/2 ton market has come to an end as I would purchase a 1/2 ton bakkie again if it was a Toyota or GM product.

I still have my 2004 Ford Bantam 1.6ixlt rocam )From brand new and this was a very strong robust strong bakkie why its was not continued is still a wonder to me.

Wel said sir. We can do with a crossover small bakkie . Thanx for sharing.

I think a Corolla Quest bakkie would have been really good even though it's financially difficult for Toyota to produce them, seeing the footage of the prototype gave me hope when I first saw it but I don't think it'll come into fruition sadly

Nissan 1400 was monocoque or unibody.

Thanks Ciro that was an excellent video super interesting 👍

Did you guys notice the Toyota Cressida behind the flatbed truck carrying the Quest Bakkie?. The Cressida being rear wheel drive (If I am not mistaken) would be a great base for a half ton bakkie with some tweaks for modern times.

How was the safety for the unibody?

On a different note: there were rumours about a year ago that the Chevrolet UTE would be made as a double cab in Brazil. Does anybody have any info on that subject?

Love the neat breakdown

Be nice to get half ton bakkies back. I have a small business with 9 bakkies. Would prefer 4 or 5 smaller bakkies instead of all 1 tonners

The simplest solution to building a half ton bakkie would be to stick a short double cab bed on a shortened single cab chassis. That would be easier to develop and manufacture, plus you get ladder frame robustness and rear-wheel drive while sharing parts with the larger bakkies.

I think in Brazil, several pick-ups in this segment are sold as new, mainly Chevrolet and Fiat!

Absolutely loved this documentary! Thanks Cirro!

I saw some social media posts recently about the Toyota Stout reboot but I guess it was just vapor or you would have mentioned it.

Had a fiat strada 1.2, it was a gem, and died at 360 000km, I once loaded two pool tables from Pretoria to Soweto, look it felt the load which was 800kg per table but was reliable.

The truth is; America drops the licensing on larger bakkies, thus the bigger the cheaper. All the manufacturers are now following the trend. I had a NP 200 for a company vehicle. It was absolute magic. I loved it to bits. The next problem is, they price the half tons out of the market.

Mentioning the Toyota Stallion gave me PTSD! One of the worst cars I've ever driven. The worst seating position and ride ever, the thing gave be backache at the age of 25! There was nowhere to put anything, stuff just slid around. I once got stuck in half an inch of beach sand, trying to do a three-point-turn in a cul-de-sac. The back was so light, and the chassis so flexible, that it just spun a wheel and went nowhere! Oh, and it smelled of feet, there was always one of my guys' wellies under the seat. Geez, I hated that thing. Probably still going though, 25 years later!

I need the NP200, used one of course preferably around Mpumalanga Province as i'm in Swaziland.

I have always wondered exactly that question.

Ciro sure does like the term 'hot cakes" 😂

Toyota is releasing the Stout in the USA in 2024 !!

Apparently the Nissan 200 is being discontinued on production in SA

A trivial issue on the NP200 is the front wipers that wipe the wrong way. It just erks me. There was a predecessor to the Toyota Stallion known as the TUV, I believe. But they were very basic. I loved my Bantam. Mine still had the old style bench seat.

The opel corsa B was the second best selling bakkie in sa and can haul 3/4 ton.

I saw a picture for few months and I thought it's photo shopped

My opel corsa , is on its second engine but still running strong

I think a Supra/Z4 type collaboration would solve alot of the manufacturing and R/D issues they are facing when considering this venture. The only question is who to collaborate with?

Great article but I did not quite get why the half ton bakkie market "collapsed" - in particular why Nissan is quitting the market as well😢

Renault refused to tell me when the new Duster is coming out. Any idea? I think there will be a come back for half tonners due to the rising fuel costs.

There is still one that is available, but overlooked, the Suzuki Carry

Hyundai have the Santa Cruz overseas and that thing looks amazing! I wonder why they won't bring that to SA because it would sell like crazy 😕

Why has VW not brought in their half ton polo based bakkie?

Honestly I don't think it's a concern having a FWD 1/2 ton bakkie ,it's meant for light work in the first place. Secondly after owning 3 and now a vw Caddy I would never consider a bakkie because a Caddy does everything a 1/2 does except loading from a vertical position. So maybe it's because we have vans that took the place of bakkies?

I would buy a Toyota Corolla bakkie any day.

The Stallion was predated by the Tuv in the eighties, which was very much a utilitarian vehicle.

Hopefully the new Toyota Stout will come soon.

Suzuki Ertiga\Toyota Rumion would be a good platform to start from, they are already sharing costs there.

Im enjoying these videos.

I would appreciate a corolla bakkie..that thing looks sick.Maybe they should have tried the Ke70 platform when the 1400 came out.We would have gotten our small truck just like the F13.

Statement at 11:27 may be not correct, unless I am wrong. The Dutsun 1200 / Nissan 1400 / Champ was not ladder-frame, yet it was good.

They can bring the FWD unibody platform and market it for the stance lovers.

Not enough profit for the manufacturers here for small bakkies. It's as simple as that. Feel like yesterday bakkies cost under R300k. Now they cost R1m plus

Was the 1400 built on a ladder frame chassis?

Why can't VW import the Saveiro or Hyundai the Sante Cruz? I think both those vehicles would be well received

Bring back the half tons .

I still say that GM missed a trick back when they owned Opel by not doing a Corsa Bakkie OPC model...as did VW not doing an "R" model Caddy...

The Toyota Stallion is basically a renamed Toyota Kijang/Tamaraw, which is one of the most popular vehicles ever sold in South East Asia. Interestingly the replacement for the pickup version was just released this 2024 and is called the Hilux Champ. A lot of these rugged South East Asia market vehicles would be perfect for South Africa.

The slopping profile looks like Chevy SS Lumina..

@11:16 I agree with you there

Ladder frame chassy on the Nissan champ?

If Nissan bring back the old style 1400 with a upgraded engine it will rule the market for many years.

If I remember correctly Toyota had a half ton bakkie at the same time as the Datsun 1400. What we need is the Hyundai bakkie available in USA, this is a small double cab and probably half ton, I would actually consider buying this bakkie.

You are mistaken the Nissan 1400 did NOT have a ladder frame chassis.

You left out the VW Caddy bakkie, and speaking of Caddy, it should be quite easy for VW to convert that into a half-ton bakkie.

The Nissan 1400 was a unibody design, no separate chassis. FWD is not the disadvantage that most people think it is in a bakkie. Especially if you got long travel suspension and good ground clearance. The old Strada is a good example and probably the reason why the new one is the best selling vehicle in South America with probably even worse roads than what we got here in SA... Stellatis is about to make a massive mistake to make the Landtrek here. They should look at their Brazilian side and then just decide whether they want a 1 ton Toro or a 3/4 ton Strada. They can even decide whether to call it a Ram or a Fiat...

Isn't it amazing that Nissan also decided to kill NP200 when their sales have been fairly good.

My preschool transport van was a toyota Stallion😊

Volkswagen been "considering" bringing a half ton bakkie to our shores for over 10 years & will continue to for the next 10 years

Just a correction…..4:15 Champ does not have ladder frame😊

Nissan 1400 was not built on a ladder frqme chassis, it was uni body. It had prominant "frame rails", or chassis.legs, but definetly uni body

Toyota doesn’t want to dent their 1ton sales.

Before the Stallion there was a 1200 toyota bakkie. Same size as the Nissan 1200

It's funny how a (kinda) pretty bakkie can come from such an unpretty car. Looking forward to seeing the Oroch on SA roads!!

I really wana comment

So in a nutshell....no half tonner from Toyota. Point taken.

I’m not a local so excuse my ignorance but is a bakkie the same as a Ute?

Boet, you underestimate the Bantam...