Kia’s Tasman bakkie arrives in South Africa
Kia has taken a bold step into one of South Africa’s most competitive automotive segments with the launch of the Tasman, its first-ever double cab bakkie.
- Product News
- 9 April 2026
The Mercedes-Benz Trucks Woerth Plant, Germany, selected South Africa as the destination for its 800 000th CKD-Kit for assembly at Daimler Truck Southern Africa’s (DTSA) manufacturing plant in East London.
This occasion was not only a joint celebration for the East London-based DTSA manufacturing plant and its source plant in Woerth, but also a celebration with their loyal customers: Sesfigile Logistics and Safety One Logistics, who bought the truck in commemoration of their respective 20th and 10th anniversaries. Both companies are owned and operated by Nelen Gounder, who took delivery of the unit at the plant.
The largest truck assembly plant of Mercedes-Benz Trucks was founded in Woerth am Rhein in 1963. The Actros, Arocs and Atego model series are built here. The Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Econic, Unimog and Zetros are also built in Woerth. In 2021, series production of the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 300/400 for distribution haulage started in the plant. In 2022, the second Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric series-production truck for municipal use followed. In October 2023, the eActros 600 for long-distance haulage was presented to the global public and will go into series production in Woerth at the end of 2024.
The DTSA Assembly Plant in East London has a rich history spanning more than 60 years. The very first Mercedes-Benz Truck, the L-type, rolled off the assembly line in 1962. Fast forward to 2024, and thousands of trucks and buses have rolled off the assembly line since. Employing approximately 300 people, the plant is a crucial employer for the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and currently one of the biggest CKD-plants for Daimler Truck outside of Europe. In 2019, DTSA also received the 750 000th CKD unit for assembly, a Mercedes-Benz Actros 2652 LS 6×4.
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has reached another major milestone with the production of the 500 000th unit of the current Polo for the export market.
Nissan South Africa has agreed to sell its Rosslyn production facility after 60 years of operation. The plant, which produced models such as the 1400 ‘Champ’ bakkie, NP200 and Navara, was acquired by Chery SA. The Chinese automaker has sold over 80,000 vehicles locally since 2021 and is now strengthening its African presence.
Following an intense national selection process that pushed participants to the limit, South Africa’s representatives for the 2026 Defender Trophy global final have been decided.