Name and Location
FAW truck and passenger car plant, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of a truck and passenger car plant in the Eastern Cape. The aim of the new, expanded plant is to service the local South African market, the African market and, eventually, South America.

The plant will be situated on a 400 000 m² site, with a production capacity of 5 000 trucks a year, ranging from smaller trucks to extra-heavy trucks.

The plant will also produce light commercial vehicles and passenger cars.

Plant capacity for light commercial vehicles and passenger cars will be 30 000 units a year and the product range will include single and double half-ton bakkies and sedans, as well as hatchbacks.

Value
The project is valued at $100-million.

Duration
Vehicle assembly is expected to start in the first half of 2014.

Client
FAW SA, a joint venture between a local company and Chinese vehicle manufacturer, FAW.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
China FAW (finance).

Latest Developments
The FAW truck plant, currently under construction in the Eastern Cape, should start vehicle assembly in April or May next year, says FAW trucks and passenger cars Africa project leader Cheng Zhang.

Construction of the plant, with an initial output of about 5 000 units a year, should be completed by the end of the year.

Should truck production proceed as scheduled in South Africa, FAW plans to start construction of a passenger car plant in 2015, says Zhang.

Production from this plant will also be distributed locally and exported to Africa. Zhang says it is also possible to export the FAW trucks and passenger cars to Australia.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
FAW SA, tel +27 31 700 5167 or fax +27 31 700 6292.
FAW China, tel +86 431 8761 4780.