Logistics holds key to GMSA’s African drive

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) is focusing on its logistics lines at it expands into Africa, with the export of Isuzu KB light commercials to Kenya being the latest foray into the market. “With all the development happening in sub-Saharan Africa as countries improve road infrastructure, agriculture and invest in the construction of new buildings, there is an opportunity to sell our tough commercial vehicles in these markets,” says Rita Kavashe, managing director for east Africa and GMSA exports manager. “Key to achieving this is strengthening our distribution network and improving logistics efficiencies,” she adds. The exports have started while the Port Elizabethbased company is tooling up for the sixth-generation Isuzu KB which goes into production in the first quarter of next year. “When we assemble the next generation Isuzu KB, it will be the first time ever that we assemble the vehicle in both left- and right-hand drive, opening up new markets for us in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Ian Nicholls, GMSA vice president of planning. He told FTW that GMSA was “leveraging the infrastructure” in South Africa in order to expand into Africa. Kavashe says Kenya is the latest addition to the company’s existing righthand drive export markets of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mauritius. Exports of the South African-assembled Isuzu KB into key sub-Saharan African markets will continue to “build momentum” over the coming months. Increased export volumes would ensure GMSA achieved the annual production volume threshold of 50 000 units to qualify for the government’s Automotive Production and Development Programme, she says.