Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has officially started production of their ninth-generation Hilux at its prospecton Manufacturing Plant in eThekwini – Durban Metro – following a R10.4bn investment in the programme. The ceremonial line off was attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Japanese Ambassador to South Africa Fumio Shimizu, executives from Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho, as well as representatives from government and automobile industry.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was unable to attend personally due to technical issues on his plane but addressed the gathering by video communication.
According to Toyota, the investment is the largest single product investment in the company’s history in South Africa and is aimed at strengthening local manufacturing while expanding the country’s role in Toyota’s global production network. Hilux production began at Prospecton 56 years ago, and more than 2.9 million bakkies have been built. Vehicles produced at the Durban plant are exported to 74 markets across Africa and Europe. The programme supports 101 Tier One suppliers, generates annual supplier spending of more than R15 billion, sustains nearly 27 000 jobs across the supplier network and employs more than 4 300 people directly at the Prospecton facility. Andrew Kirby, president and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors, said the investment extends well beyond the production line.
The ninth-generation Hilux is not simply the next Hilux. It is the next chapter in South African manufacturing. Every new generation presents an opportunity to elevate our technology, strengthen our supplier base, deepen localisation, develop our people and improve the competitiveness of our operations.
The investment of R10.4 billion to upgrade the plant will not only sustain Toyota’s Hilux bakkie branch in the city, but grow it to generate more jobs. Both South Africa and Toyota have a right to be proud of the expansion and investment as it will accelerate mass production. Durban is a key port on the Indian Ocean and an industrial hub, the investment will improve trade relations between South Africa and Japan. The Creation of jobs and training of those jobs will improve the quality of production of those bakkies. 101 tier one suppliers, is the key source for the Prospecton Plant’s tiers and is one of the recipients of job creation. Durban is a key centre of international trade, and is a pillar of expanding both South Africa and Africa’s trade and industry.
Toyota South Africa Motors is a source of improving South Africa and eThekwini region’s place as a centre of manufacturing and can set Durban Metro as a cornerstone for the rest of the continent to follow. The manufacture, production and sale of Hilux Bakkies are examples of excellence and economic potential that can accomplish a new path for Durban’s overall prosperity and livelihood.
In the 2026 State of the Nation Address, the South African government named the automotive industry, alongside steel and other vulnerable sectors, as a focus of its commitment to protect manufacturing jobs. Naamsa (The National Association of Automobiles of South Africa), welcomed the commitment. Tshetlhe Litheko, its Chief Policy Officer, stated that the “sector operates in an increasingly competitive global environment.” He went on to say that maintaining domestic production scale “is essential to safeguarding jobs, exports and long-term investment.”
President Ramaphosa is once again right to argue that in today’s economic climate, manufacturing jobs have to be protected. The main focus should be on diversifying the private sector. In particular the industrial sphere. When it comes to trade, the interest should shift to markets closer to home. NAAMSA and Toyota South Africa Motors for their part must push forward with innovative opportunities to access new markets with Africa and surrounding regions. Durban metro can be a key player in this global economic forum if new partnerships such as the one between Toyota, TSAM and Pretoria are formed.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
