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.