South Africa's largest truck manufacturer, Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSA), has warned that soaring electricity costs are placing growing pressure on the country's manufacturing sector, urging the government to extend energy price relief to industrial users to help safeguard competitiveness.
The warning comes as South Africa continues to grapple with rising production costs despite significant improvements in electricity supply following years of rolling blackouts that disrupted businesses across the country.
Billy Tom, President of Isuzu Motors South Africa, said electricity tariffs have increased by more than 700% since 2007, placing a significant financial burden on manufacturers already facing rising input costs and intense competition from global markets.
Speaking at the Manufacturing Indaba, Tom said the cost of electricity has become one of the biggest obstacles to expanding South Africa's industrial base and attracting new investment.
Industry calls for targeted electricity relief
