Japanese company Isuzu is hoping to move more vehicles and components throughout Africa as it grows its presence on the continent – using South Africa as a base. Speaking at the official launch of Isuzu’s business operations in South Africa in the old General Motors facility in Port Elizabeth recently, the president and representative director of Isuzu Motors of Japan, Masanori Katayama, said that Isuzu was committed to growing its business in South Africa and the rest of the continent. “This is the first commercial and light commercial vehicle manufacturing operation outside of Japan in which we have acquired a 100% ownership. “Our decision with regards to South Africa demonstrates the confidence we have in this market and also is indicative of our longerterm view that South Africa will serve as an important base for our future growth on the African continent.” A year ago the company acquired a 57.7% majority shareholding in the Kenyan truck and bus assembly operation which supplies Isuzu vehicles to East African markets, while commanding a leading 34% share of the Kenyan new vehicle market. Isuzu also has a 20% shareholding in joint venture manufacturing operations in Egypt, where the company has led in the market for 10 years in a row. The light commercial vehicle pick-up which is produced there and accounts for over 90% share of the market segment, is derived from the Isuzu KB pick-up. Also speaking at the launch event, Isuzu Motors South Africa CEO and MD Michael Sacke added that in the medium term the company would need to plan for the successful launch of future products, implement measures to increase its domestic market share and increase its exports into subSaharan Africa. Volumes of fully built up vehicles out of Thailand being offloaded in Port Elizabeth are likely to increase with the introduction of the sevenseater mu-X utility vehicle, which is assembled in Thailand and will be sold through the Isuzu dealer network in South Africa.
