Carjackers in South Africa still targeting this discontinued bakkie

The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) executed an intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of a suspect linked to two vehicle thefts, including that of a Nissan NP200 bakkie.

Despite Nissan stopping production of the vehicle in March 2024, after 16 years of production at its now-sold Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, the half-ton bakkie remains in high demand for hijackers.

Yesterday, 24 September 2026, the TMPD, alongside K9 Unit members and other stakeholders, worked jointly on an intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of two vehicles.

According to the law enforcement department, K9 members received information about a syndicate targeting residential properties for motor vehicle theft in Pretoria North and surrounding areas at around 03:00.

“Proactive policing units were deployed to the area after intelligence identified a silver Honda Amaze travelling on Tandem Road with a red VW Polo as vehicles linked to the suspects,” said the TMPD.

“Officers located the vehicles and gave chase. After an intense pursuit, a shootout occurred between police and the occupants of the Honda Amaze; the vehicle subsequently lost control and crashed.”

A second team pursued another getaway vehicle and intercepted it nearby. The suspects fled on foot and remain at large.

The sole arrested suspect is allegedly connected to several vehicle-theft cases currently under investigation, including three cases in Villieria, two in Pretoria North, and one in Wonderboompoort.

During the arrest, the two stolen vehicles were recovered, along with an unlicensed firearm with ammunition and car‑breaking equipment.

Preliminary investigations confirmed that the VW Polo and the Nissan NP200 were both stolen on the same night.

TMPD Acting Chief of Police, Deputy Commissioner Sean Bolhuis, commended the swift, proactive policing after another breakthrough by TMPD members.

Nissan NP200 still on the menu

Earlier this year, security company Fidelity ADT published a list of eight vehicles most frequently targeted by hijackers in South Africa, including the NP200 and one other discontinued model – the Nissan Almera sedan – on the list.

Both were highly popular right up until they were discontinued, which means there are quite a few of them on our roads.

That also means there is high demand for spares while supplies dwindle since the manufacturer ended production of these vehicles.

This created a black market for vehicle components for discontinued models, with thieves and hijackers supplying illegal resale networks.

Beyond this, the NP200 was a highly popular bakkie in its segment, especially after its rival compact bakkies – the Chevrolet Utility and Ford Bantam – were discontinued years before it.

While the alternatives dwindled, Nissan continued to produce the NP200 at its local production plant until early 2024, when it was discontinued due to its aged design.

At times, Nissan sold thousands of units of the compact bakkie every month, with its sales figures rivalling those of larger options like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max – which are all still around today.

Nissan also never rolled out a replacement for the NP200, and no manufacturer has built a suitable replacement since.

Half-tonne bakkies are still essential for small business owners, offering an affordable and practical solution for many day-to-day tasks, which is why demand has not disappeared despite a lack of newer models.

This skyrocketing demand for the NP200 has made it a high risk for hijackings, while the discontinued Almera is facing a similar situation, as it was a popular sedan in its time.

The sedan’s affordability made it ideal for low-income households, rental agencies, e-hailing operators, and the taxi industry, all of whom now need spare parts.