Automotive manufacturer Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) on July 16 held a line-off ceremony to commemorate the first ninth-generation Hilux coming off the production line at the company’s Prospecton plant, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Speaking to Engineering News on the sidelines of the ceremony, TSAM CEO and president Andrew Kirby said the company was targeting production of about 140 000 units a year, with just over 50% slated for export.

The new generation is being introduced progressively across local and export markets through a phased rollout strategy, aimed at ensuring continuity of supply while production transitions from the current generation.

Kirby highlighted that the new model introduced improvements in design, safety, connectivity and driving performance, while maintaining toughness, durability and reliability (also see video).

The launch of this Hilux is underpinned by a R10.4-billion investment, representing the largest single product investment in TSAM’s history.

Kirby said the investment reflected parent company Toyota Motors Corporation’s confidence in South Africa, its people and the country’s manufacturing future, which was significant as it came at a time when both the global and local automotive industries were undergoing considerable change.  

He pointed out that the automotive industry was at a “turning point”, facing major disruption from stricter emissions regulations, technology advancements and new market entrants.

Therefore, Kirby stressed that the country’s ability to be competitive from an infrastructure, policy, technology, and cost perspective would determine its success and continued industrialisation aspirations.   

He outlined positive engagements with government to address this competitiveness, with an understanding of the need to act expeditiously and implement relevant adjustments to secure the future.

Kirby also mentioned the company’s “strong request” to phase out semi-knockdown production in the country, and strengthen the competitiveness of completely knocked-down production to enable a better balance between locally produced and imported vehicles.

The R10.4-billion investment programme includes three major infrastructure developments of a new 29 300 m² Toyota logistics centre for R1-billion; a R2.2-billion chassis frame coating facility, which is currently in operation; and a new R3.2-billion chassis frame welding and painting facility, scheduled for completion in June 2027.

Kirby lauded the Hilux brand’s contribution to South Africa’s industrial, economic and social fabric, with this strengthening local manufacturing and supporting communities.

“Beyond these new manufacturing facilities, we have invested a further R7.2-billion in production preparation for the ninth-generation Hilux, including advanced manufacturing technologies, production equipment and supplier tooling. This comprises R3.8-billion invested directly into operations, and R3.4-billion invested across our South African supply network,” Kirby informed.

“In addition to Toyota’s R10.4-billion investment, our supply partners have invested a further R2-billion in their facilities,” he added.

Over 77% of the R10.4-billion has been spent thus far, with the rest slated for completion by June 2027, as alluded to earlier.

“This investment is now visible across all our operations. We had more than 3 100 contractors from 79 companies helping to bring these facilities to life. At the peak of construction, there were almost 10 000 people working on our Prospecton site on a single day.

“We have team members, contractors, engineers, technicians and construction specialists all working safely, side by side to prepare for the next generation of Hilux,” Kirby acclaimed. 

He pointed out that each new generation Hilux engendered an opportunity to bolster the country’s industrial capability.

“The programme has added four new local suppliers, increased our annual component spend by over 15% to R17.5-billion a year, added 210 new locally sourced parts and created more than 1 040 new jobs across our supply chain,” Kirby acclaimed.

Toyota Tshusho Africa Division COO and Toyota Africa regional CEO Shinichiro Otsuka commented that the programme reflected parent company Toyota Motor Corporation’s confidence in South Africa and the capacity of its people.

“Through continued investment in technology, skills development and localisation, South Africa remains an important strategic production base for Toyota globally.”

Ambassador of Japan to South Africa Fumio Shimizu stressed that with the global economic and social environments changing rapidly, businesses must continue to evolve in response to climate change and changing industrial needs.

“The new generation of the Hilux, together with Toyota’s continued introduction of state-of-the-art technologies, represents an important response to these challenges, and offers a practical step toward more safe and sustainable mobility.

“Importantly, its production here in Durban responds to South Africa’s urgent need for greater localisation, industrial development, skills creation and employment,” he averred.

“Therefore, today's new high-off ceremony is a renewed vote of confidence in South Africa, in KwaZulu-Natal, in the workers of the plant, and in the future of South African manufacturing,” Shimizu added.

He echoed Kirby’s sentiment’s that the country’s automotive industry was entering a new era, contending with challenges that included the global transition to low carbon mobility, stronger international competition, and the need to deepen localisation, improve logistics and infrastructure, and create more opportunities for young people through skills development and employment.

Shimizu emphasised the need for public-private partnerships to address these.