According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa), who keeps track of new car sales in the country, the GWM P-Series was the fifth best-selling bakkie in June after the Hilux, Ranger, D-Max and NP200.
With the P-Series not even on the market for a full year here in SA, early indications are that the big, fancy GWM is set to do well going forward – and perhaps even become one of our favourite bakkies, especially in double cab form.
The P-Series offers luxuries not yet found in the flagship double cabs of other brands, such as smartphone charging pads in various derivatives, and at a prices far lower than main rivals.
But what about the vehicle’s resale value?

Resale values are just as important as features when buying any vehicle, so for the P-Series to really become successful and find favour with SA’s bakkie lovers, it has to trade well.
Autotrader, one of SA’s biggest preowned vehicle platforms, recently had a look at the GWM P-Series’ performance after a few popped up, and the good news is that it seems to be trading very well.
According to AutoTrader data covering the six months up to the end of June, the average listed price for a used P-Series is R443 157, while the average mileage comes in at 1 740km.

Interestingly, P Series models listed as new on the platform bear an average price of R453 737, which is barely R10 000 more.
Though it’s early days in this new model’s life cycle, the initial data would suggest the P Series is holding its value rather well on the used market, where there’s plenty of demand.
Still, we should point out the figures above are averages, so they may well have been driven up slightly by a surfeit of high-spec double-cab variants fitted with various optional extras.

According to Autotrader CEO, George Mienie, SA buyers shopping in both the new and used markets have clearly welcomed the arrival of a well-priced bakkie featuring all the bells and whistles.
‘Bakkies such as the Hilux and Ranger are extremely popular with local buyers, but the various P Series derivatives – and in particular the passenger-spec double-cab models – offer a lengthy list of standard equipment,’ Mienie said.
‘It’s fascinating to see just how strong demand on the used market is some six months down the line, as illustrated by our initial data.’

Roland Witthöft, Dealer Principal for Haval and Suzuki in Richards Bay, confirmed Autotrader’s findings and added that the bakkie is attracting more and more attention as buyers come to appreciate it’s value for money proposition.
So, let’s see what the P-Series does in the future in our bakkie-mad market!