Isuzu has officially launched their 100% owned vehicle manufacturing plant in Port Elizabeth. The investment came at a time where General Motors South Africa had decided to disinvest, closing their production plants in South Africa.
This investment has managed to save a thousand jobs for the Eastern Cape and has created three thousand in direct supply.
The new manufacturing plant seeks to produce up to 70 000 vehicles where 15% is earmarked for export.
Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says, “Saying that this investment came at a time where South Africa was sluggish in the investment front and from now on they work on being an attractive investment place, the new President wants to create strong partnerships that will attract investment.”
Isuzu has presence in 30 countries and operates in 47 plants. South Africa is one of their biggest markets and they still plan to expand further depending on the economy and response of sales.
Isuzu SA’s Senior Executive Sales Haruyasu Tanishige says that this is a big investment for them and they will look at investing further depending on the markets.
