Toyota starts building its next-gen Hilux in South Africa | News. az
Toyota has officially kicked off pilot production of its highly anticipated, ninth-generation Hilux pickup truck at its Prospecton manufacturing plant in Durban, South Africa. The transition represents a. . .
Toyota has officially kicked off pilot production of its highly anticipated, ninth-generation Hilux pickup truck at its Prospecton manufacturing plant in Durban, South Africa. The transition represents a massive milestone for the automotive giant, which has already completed more than 77% of a sweeping 10. 4 billion rand ($634 million) investment program. The project, which is scheduled to be fully finalized by June 2027, has already seen major infrastructure upgrades to the Durban facility,News. Azreports, citingReuters. Toyota South Africa Chief Executive Andrew Kirby announced the news during an official line-off ceremony, which was celebrated by local leaders and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The state-of-the-art facility will eventually scale up to a target production of 140,000 units annually, with plans to phase out the existing model entirely as exports ramp up to Africa andEurope. RECOMMENDED STORIESWhy Nigeria just evacuated nearly 1,500 citizens from South AfricaNissan launches redesigned Elgrand minivan to challenge ToyotaSouth African media spotlights Azerbaijan’s landmine crisisBMW recalls over 10,000 vehicles in South Africa over starter defectThis high-tech generation of the legendary "bakkie" will feature much more advanced safety systems and driver-assistance technologies. The upgrades come at a crucial time as Toyota aims to fend off fierce, aggressive expansion from Chinese automotive rivals, such as GWM and Chery, in the African market. It also helps future-proof the plant against tightening European emission regulations, which are forcing South African manufacturers to quickly adopt cleaner vehicle technologies and modernize their hubs. The 10. 4 billion rand investment breaks down into two major focal points:Production Preparation (7. 2 billion rand): Channeled into advanced manufacturing equipment, cutting-edge robotics, and tooling for parts suppliers. Facility Upgrades (3. 2 billion rand): Dedicated to building a brand-new imported parts logistics center and an advanced chassis treatment and coating facility. The final phase of the upgrade—a high-tech chassis frame welding facility—is already underway and is expected to open its doors in mid-2027. News. AzBy Aysel Mammadzada