Daihatsu Gran Max. (R120,000)
Daihatsu now sells a one ton bakkie that has all the makings to become as legendary as South Africa's beloved Nissan 1400 bakkie, except for its price. If the R120k price tag sounds cheap to you, it is my duty to inform you that CAM , Chana, CMC, Ford, GWM, Fiat, Nissan and Tata all sell rugged workhorses for less than R110k.
Price aside, the Gran Max is quite impressive despite everything on it being small. The 1.5 engine generates 140 Nm, delivering this power at 77kW through short gear ratios, which are ideal for last-mile-deliveries. Although licensed to cart a ton, the suspension under the dropside handles two tons without sagging.
With its short gears, the Gran Max is happiest at 80km/h even with a load. Empty it will do a whiney 120 km/h on the highway. The cabin is basic, a fan and roof light are the luxuries, but the dash-mounted shift do allow three people to squeeze onto the hard seats. If you are happy to pay a R10k premium for Daihatsu’s reliable reputation, the Gran Max could become the backbone of a small company with a lot of fetching to do.
