Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) expects a significant drop in the output of new vehicles because of production that was disrupted due to the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, it has said.
The manufacturer of the Corolla Cross, Starlet, Fortuner, Hiace Ses’fikile minibus, Hilux bakkie, and Hino truck at its plant in Prospekton accounts for about 24.4% of new vehicle sales in South Africa, but is bracing itself for a drop in this figure.
Compared to the 15 000 units it shifted domestically in March, April’s figures are expected to be significantly lower.
The movement of export units, such as the Hilux, is also expected to be impacted, potentially dipping well below the 6 837 cars that were shipped out last month through the Port of Durban – only just reopened for throughput after it was closed because of flood damage.
The manufacturer said it had installed the necessary means to deal with water-related incidents, especially after flooding also affected production in 2017.
However, the pumps and pipes that had been installed to disperse water weren’t effective enough for the deluge that resulted from the Mlazi river flooding.
TSAM said it had since fast-tracked assessing finished vehicles caught in the flooding, and had passed 500 units ready to be sent to market.
Vehicles not passing post-flood muster would be scrapped, the manufacturer said.
TSAM vice-president Leon Theron assured clients waiting for vehicles such as Hiluxes, which were now significantly delayed, to expect hearing personally from the manufacturer about the reprioritisation of their orders.
