ISUZU Motors SA celebrates two milestones

As one of the renowned vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in South Africa, ISUZU is proud of its long heritage and positive contribution to South Africa and the continent at large.

This is a demonstration of the company’s resilience, moulded through multiple transitions from General Motors and Delta, ultimately becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of ISUZU Motors Limited on 1 January 2018.

When General Motors exited the South African market in 2017, ISUZU MOTORS Limited decided to assume ownership of the assembly facility and associated facilities in South Africa. This ensured that the production of the vehicles, which had been serving the African continent with distinction, would continue.

60 years ago, the first ISUZU vehicle to enter the South African market was the ISUZU Elfin truck, which was imported from Japan in 1964. ISUZU Truck Plant Employees Luthando Vaaltein, Deidre Zealand, Mbulelo Kume, Patrick Mjekula, Mawonga Nyoboti, Edmund Booysen and Joezay Kops celebrate six decades of ISUZU trucks. Looking at the main photo at the top of this article is history going back 45 years with the first-generation bakkie carrying the ISUZU brand when it came off the production line at the Nelson Mandela Bay Plant. The engineering team Daryl Chetty, Le Clue Mostert, Sarel du Plessis and Francois Schellingerhout were instrumental in the restoration of this bakkie.

The decision by ISUZU MOTORS Limited demonstrated their long-term commitment to the South African economy and its workforce.

Billy Tom, ISUZU’s President, has been instrumental in steering the company through turbulent times, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “ISUZU’s ability to stay resilient during industry transitions and the global crisis has been key to our success. We remain dedicated to the people who build our vehicles and the markets we serve across the African continent,” Billy says.

Under him and his leadership team, ISUZU has continued to innovate, expanding into the African markets and increasing production capabilities. Billy Tom also emphasises ISUZU’s commitment to transformation.

With a Level 1 B-BBEE status for five consecutive years, ISUZU has set a high standard for inclusivity and diversity within the automotive industry. “Our workforce reflects the make-up of South Africa. We are proud of our efforts in driving change both within ISUZU and in the broader community,” he notes.

Other notable achievements by ISUZU include being the number one truck brand in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (MCV and HCV) cab-on-chassis segments for 11 consecutive years, Manufacturer of the Year in the South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) for four consecutive years, internationally recognised Top Employer for two consecutive years, and Eastern Cape Best Exporter into the African continent in 2023.

Looking ahead, ISUZU is strategically positioning itself to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and grow its footprint across the continent. Billy’s vision includes transforming ISUZU into becoming a leader in sustainable business practices, combining reliability and creativity to achieve mutual growth in the African continent.