Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has officially started production of the ninth-generation Hilux at its Prospecton manufacturing plant in Durban, following a R10.4 billion investment in the programme.
The ceremonial line-off was attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Japanese Ambassador to South Africa Fumio Shimizu, executives from Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho, as well as representatives from government and the automotive industry.
President Cyril Ramaphosa missed the event as a result of technical issues on his airplane but addressed the gathering via video.
According to Toyota, the investment is the largest single product investment in the company's history in South Africa and is aimed at strengthening local manufacturing while expanding the country's role in Toyota's global production network.
Hilux production began at Prospecton 56 years ago, and more than 2.9 million bakkies have been built. Vehicles produced at the Durban plant are exported to 74 markets across Africa and Europe.
