Transnet invests R4m in PE terminal

Continued investment in the Eastern Cape by motor manufacturers and their suppliers is providing a lifeline to the Eastern Cape economy – and keeping the shipping industry busy. So much so that Transnet has invested R4 million to add 1 500 parking bays to its Port Elizabeth car terminal. Component imports and exports are also keeping the freight industry moving. The Volkswagen Group South Africa – which alternates with Toyota as being South Africa’s top supplier of passenger vehicles – delivered 47 098 vehicles in the first six months, 38% more than last year’s mid-year figure of 33 996. Passenger vehicle sales under the VW brand were 27.7% higher, Audi up 52%, and commercial vehicles by 192% thanks to the success of the Amarok, according to communications general manager Matt Gennrich. General Motors South Africa is looking to Africa to drive its volumes to beyond the 50 000-unitsa- year target set by the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). The focus has shifted away from exporting the Chevrolet Spark to right-hand-drive markets. Communications manager Denise van Huyssteen says “Africa, particularly for Isuzu KB, will be a key driver in boosting our production volumes. We are making rapid progress with our sub-Saharan Africa exports strategy, and the implementation of various initiatives which will enable us to grow volumes in some of the 41 markets which are located in our region”. GM will be assembling the Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Utility and Isuzu KB. Chevrolet Utility and Chevrolet Spark will “for now be limited to right hand drive production, with primary focus on domestic market with eventual expansion in selected sub-Saharan Africa markets,” she says. Ford’s Struandale engine plant has started production of the Duratorq TDCi engine. The upgraded plant has a capacity of 75 000 engines and 220 000 engine component kits a year. Most of the engines will be fitted to Ranger bakkies assembled in Pretoria, while the kits will be exported to Ford plants around the world. In East London, Mercedes- Benz has added shifts in order to keep up with demand for its cars. In July the largest number of right-hand-drive vehicles in the history of the East London plant rolled off the assembly line. “With the entire team putting in a great effort, we are producing at the limits of capacity in East London – never before have we built so many vehicles for right-hand-drive markets in one month as in July,” says Rainer Ruess, head of the Mercedes-Benz East London plant. Mercedes-Benz South Africa was given the JD Power and Associates award for the best exporter of vehicles to the United States. “What’s even more satisfying is that this is the third year in the row that our Mercedes-Benz C-Class built right here in South Africa, is so highly rated by US customers, demonstrating that our quality levels are consistent and not just a fluke,” says MBSA president and CEO, Martin Zimmermann.