FAW South Africa (SA) first appeared as one of South Africa’s top five truck exporters in 2016, debuting in fifth position. In 2017, the company has moved up to the number two spot, behind the Volvo group.
Exports reached 159 units in 2016, growing to 212 units in 2017.
Total truck and bus exports from South Africa reached 991 units in 2017, continuing the steadily declining trend in recent years.
Total truck and bus exports from South Africa reached 1 414 units in 2014 – this according to the 2018 Automotive Export Manual (AEM).
The Chinese FAW brand, which manufactures its trucks at Coega, in the Eastern Cape, in 2017 also enjoyed a record year in terms of domestic sales.
Sales grew from 929 units in 2016, to 1 032 units in 2017.
Sales in the first four months of this year, at 353 units, are a 3% improvement on sales recorded in the first four months of 2017.
FAW started operations in South Africa 23 years ago.
In 2017, the Coega plant saw the 3 000th locally built truck roll off the production line.
FAW SA was awarded the ‘Global Distributor of the Year’ title by the FAW Group in 2016/2017.
Competition is intense in the local market.
The 2018 AEM states that the medium-duty truck segment in South Africa in 2017 consisted of 17 brands with 158 model derivatives. In the heavy-duty truck segment there were 13 brands with 142 model derivatives. In the extra-heavy commercial vehicle segment there were 20 brands with 487 model derivatives.
South African buyers could also choose between eight bus brands, with 48 model derivatives.