It’s all systems go for Isuzu Motors SA as the first locally engineered and produced seventh-gen D-Max rolls off the production line at its Struandale manufacturing plant.
The production of the new Isuzu D-Max comes as a result of the culmination of a R1.2-billion investment announced in 2019. With the investment, the plant has been upgraded to include state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment such as a new body shop, a new chassis assembly line as well as notable tweaks to the paint shop and general assembly line.
“Isuzu’s Struandale plant and the new generation Isuzu D-Max programme is crucial to the communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and the livelihoods of thousands in South Africa and Africa,” said Billy Tom, President and CEO of Isuzu Motors South Africa. “We are delighted to see our significant investment in the motor industry come to fruition, and to secure the jobs of so many citizens while simultaneously bringing a vehicle re-engineered for African conditions to the market.”
Besides the aforementioned improvements, Isuzu engineers have been hard at work doing validation, homologation and durability testing for the bakkie.
The new Isuzu D-Max will officially launch locally on the 7th of April 2022 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. Dubbed the Isuzu City, the OEM has appointed the services of local suppliers to ensure the launch benefits surrounding businesses.
The new D-Max is the seventh generation Isuzu light commercial vehicle to be assembled in Port Elizabeth over a period of 42 years.
