Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) at the end of last month welcomed Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel to its plant in Struandale, Gqeberha.

Patel previously visited Isuzu in 2019, shortly before the Japanese manufacturer’s R1.2-billion investment into its next-generation bakkie build programme in South Africa, with the vehicle destined for the local and wider sub-Saharan African export markets.

The decision resulted in securing the 1 000 jobs at Isuzu’s operations in Gqeberha and across its national and international dealer network, as well as about 25 000 jobs at IMSAf suppliers across the country.

IMSAf president and CEO Billy Tom updated the Ministerial delegation on the progress made on the investment programme, including the required manufacturing plant upgrades to produce the new vehicle, as well as the state of readiness to launch the new Isuzu D-Max bakkie in early 2022.

Next year will also see the launch of Isuzu’s next-generation trucks, all locally assembled in Gqeberha.

Extensive building has taken place over the past two years to ready the production facility for Isuzu’s new light-commercial and heavy-commercial vehicles.

The investment involves significant upgrades of tooling and equipment, as well as the refurbishment of the current assembly line to support an extension in the manufacturing of the current Isuzu models.

“Our focus remains on being able to ensure the sustainability of Isuzu’s operations in South Africa,” said Tom.

“We are committed to transformation and believe that an inclusive economy is the foundation to economic prosperity for all citizens,” he added.

“In September, Isuzu announced it had maintained an automotive industry-leading Level 1 in its broad-based black economic empowerment audit for a second consecutive year.”

While no jobs at IMSAf were lost during the pandemic in 2020 as a result of adjusted shifts, four-day work weeks and a salary freeze for management, Tom said he was looking forward to pre-Covid-level economic growth in the country.

In 2019, the automotive industry contributed about 7% to South Africa’s gross domestic product, supporting more than 100 000 jobs.