Automotive manufacturer Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) on July 16 held a line-off ceremony to commemorate the first ninth-generation Hilux coming off the production line at the company’s Prospecton plant, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking to Engineering News on the sidelines of the ceremony, TSAM CEO and president Andrew Kirby said the company was targeting production of about 140 000 units a year, with just over 50% slated for export.
The new generation is being introduced progressively across local and export markets through a phased rollout strategy, aimed at ensuring continuity of supply while production transitions from the current generation.
Kirby highlighted that the new model introduced improvements in design, safety, connectivity and driving performance, while maintaining toughness, durability and reliability (also see video).
The launch of this Hilux is underpinned by a R10.4-billion investment, representing the largest single product investment in TSAM’s history.
