Isuzu production record South Africa: the Gqeberha plant built 27,400 D-Max bakkies and 3,800 trucks in a strong year for local vehicle sales.
Isuzu Motors South Africa has posted its highest annual output yet at its Struandale plant in Gqeberha, where 27,400 D-Max bakkies and 3,800 trucks were built in the financial year ended 31 March 2026, according to the supplied source and local reporting.
The Isuzu production record South Africa milestone comes as the local auto market continues to recover. Naamsa said South Africa sold 58,060 new vehicles in March 2026, up 17.3% from a year earlier, although exports fell 5.3% to 37,388 units.
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Isuzu sets a new benchmark in Gqeberha
The Isuzu production record South Africa story centres on the Eastern Cape, where the Struandale factory increased combined D-Max and truck output by 21% year on year, according to the supplied article. The vehicles were built for the domestic market and for other African countries.
The record year also aligned with stronger showroom performance. The supplied source says the D-Max moved ahead of the Ford Ranger in March to become South Africa’s second best-selling bakkie, while the Isuzu brand sold 3,513 vehicles for the month. Broader Q1 sales reporting likewise shows the D-Max edging ahead of the Ranger over the first three months of 2026.
Investment and localisation support the growth
The Isuzu production record South Africa result follows years of investment in local manufacturing capacity. The supplied source says Isuzu invested R1.2 billion in 2019 to prepare for seventh-generation D-Max production, while more recent upgrades included more than R260 million alongside supplier VSL Manufacturing.
That localisation drive has continued. In December 2025, Isuzu said VSL Manufacturing opened a R750 million facility next to the Struandale plant to supply body components, strengthening the regional automotive value chain.
Isuzu has also kept its leading position in trucks. In January 2026, the company said it had secured 13 consecutive years as South Africa’s top brand in the combined medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments.
Market risks still lie ahead
Even so, the outlook is less certain. Naamsa has warned that tougher external conditions could weigh on demand after the strong March sales figures. Fuel prices also rose sharply from 1 April 2026, with petrol up by R3.06 a litre and diesel up by between R7.37 and R7.51, according to widely reported official adjustments.