INDUSTRY BOOST: Isuzu’s R30m vote of confidence in Gqeberha’s automotive industry

With its latest R30m investment at its commercial vehicle plant in Gqeberha, Isuzu Motors SA is not only investing in the company’s sustained growth, but in the future of the broader automotive industry as well, the company has said.

A R30-million investment in its Gqeberha assembly plant will not only bolster Isuzu Motors South Africa’s (IMSAf) manufacturing capabilities, but also signifies the motoring giant’s long-term commitment to the local automotive industry.

At the same time, the upgrades to IMSAf’s commercial vehicles line in Nelson Mandela Bay will probably trickle down the value chain and result in economic boosts for other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in South Africa’s automotive hub.

“By continuing to invest in our Gqeberha operations, we are strengthening the capability and capacity needed to remain competitive and respond to the evolving mobility needs of customers across Africa,” executive vice-president of manufacturing and product engineering for IMSAf, Johan Vermeulen, said.

The company places a big emphasis on its commercial vehicle manufacturing, rather than passenger cars, and the new upgrades will be targeted to further expand on that core focus by enhancing manufacturing capability and efficiency, strengthening quality and digital traceability and supporting more sustainable, “future-ready” production.

Employee safety and workstation ergonomics will also factor largely into the new developments, the company said.

IMSAf said the upgrades across the chassis and engine sub-assembly, as well as the cab marriage areas, included an extension of the chassis line, a better production layout and upgraded tooling to optimise operational flexibility and improve production capability.

Enhancements in the plant’s digital traceability systems will lead to better quality control to ultimately uphold the Isuzu brand’s build standards.

With an eye on employee wellbeing and environmental sustainability, IMSAf has kitted out workstations with a range of new equipment, including lifts, hoists and torque tools to reduce physical strain for staff, while ensuring that the new equipment is energy-efficient to better utilise resources.

“This investment is about more than preparing our plant for a new generation of trucks. It reflects our long-term vision for manufacturing in South Africa and our confidence in the country’s people, industrial capability and potential,” Vermeulen said.

The announcement by IMSAf came less than a week after the automotive business council Naamsa announced the country’s latest new vehicle sales figures, which reflected “notable resilience” despite global economic challenges.

In September, South Africa's new vehicle market reflected a 12.7% increase compared with the same period last year, while export sales saw an 18.8% decrease compared with the corresponding period last year.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses increased by 9.6%, while medium commercial vehicle sales gained 3.4%.

Heavy truck and bus sales totalled 2,204 units, which was down by 25 units compared with the 2,229 units sold in September 2025.