Toyota raises concern about looting, remains committed to SA
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) expects its sales to drop by as much as 10% in July because of the unrest and looting in KwaZulu-Natal.
Share with friends
This follows the closure of TSAM’s manufacturing operations in Prospecton in Durban, which was forced to close for eight days from July 12 until July 20 because of fears about the safety of its employees and the security and safety of the plant.
Toshimitsu Imai, the chief operating officer Africa region for Toyota Tsusho Corporation and general manager Africa support division for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), said the closure of the N3 to Gauteng meant that TSAM was unable to deliver vehicles to customers in Gauteng for several days.
In a letter sent to the City of eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, late last week, Imai said the incidents in the city “have left us feeling uncertain about the future of our business in KZN”.
Imai added that the closure of the plant jeopardised TSAM’s future sustainability as the company embarked on its recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the letter to the KZN government, Toyota mentions that they are on the cusp of building their first “new energy” vehicle at the Prospecton plant. This is the new Toyota Corolla Cross, which is scheduled for production in October.
“The loss of production over the past week means that TSAM will more than likely lose some of this business to one of our other global Toyota affiliates because our European customers will not wait for their orders.
“Built up vehicles destined for the export markets also cannot be shipped owing to the closure of the port,” he said.
TSAM confirmed there was no damage to the plant or any equipment during the unrest and looting, and production at the plant resumed on July 20. A TSAM spokesperson was unable to comment on whether the disruption to production at the Durban plant and ports will result in any vehicle stock shortages in South Africa.
Imai further highlighted in the letter to the eThekwini Mayor that TSAM is in the final stretch of preparing for the launch of its first locally produced new energy vehicle this year.
He said this was a graduation project for TSAM to demonstrate its ability to produce other alternative energy vehicles in Durban.
“However, given the uncertainty around the current unrest, they [TSAM] risk missing key deadlines and the opportunity to challenge for other new products.
“While the local management team has been working closely with the leadership of the City, they were unable to provide us with any clear direction/plans on how the City intended bringing stability and order back to the City,” he said.
TSAM subsequently clarified its position, stressing the aim of the letter to the Mayor’s office was to voice concern over the future risk of conducting business in KwaZulu-Natal and to understand what local and provincial government were doing to address long-term stability issues.
TSAM said that since issuing the letter, there had been positive engagement with national government, in particular, which has gone a long way to allay the fears and short-term concerns that TMC expressed.
“TSAM is wholly committed to working with government nationally, regionally and locally (city) in order to successfully create a business roadmap to secure long-term interests,” it said.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles is back in South African, so let us take a look with what model line-up the Indian manufacturer will kick-off at its 40 dealerships expanding to 60 by 2026 in South Africa.
“Ongoing partnership highlights value of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates and the dealership environment in building sustainable automotive careers.”
The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) recently submitted its quarterly review of business conditions for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry, during the second quarter of 2025, to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTCI).
The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) recently submitted its quarterly review of business conditions for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry, during the second quarter of 2025, to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTCI).
Africa's automotive sector is experiencing a significant transformation, with Morocco emerging as a rising star while traditional leader, South Africa, faces mounting challenges.
After an absence if six years, Tata passenger vehicles are back with a bang in South Africa. The last model launched locally was the Bolt, which followed in the tracks of the more well-known Indica.