Isuzu Motors South Africa Hits Record Annual Production Number

Excitement in the Eastern Cape in the last few weeks, was not restricted to politicians appearing in court. Rather it was a moment of celebration for the Auto-manufacturing industry demonstrating its resilience despite severe headwinds.

In GQEBERHA (formerly Port Elizabeth), as the production shift ended on 31 March 2026 at the Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) manufacturing plant, The staff had achieved a defining milestone in the company’s history as a new production record for their financial year was set.

During the 2025/2026 financial year, IMSAf recorded an impressive 21% year-on-year increase in production volumes for both the ISUZU D-MAX bakkie and ISUZU Trucks, with over 27,400 ISUZU D-MAX bakkies and more than 3,800 ISUZU Trucks produced at the plant to meet the growing needs of their customers across the African continent.

This isn’t a story of a sudden surge; it is a story of the culmination of a consistent journey of building trust. While hitting record production volumes, ISUZU has simultaneously retained its position as South Africa’s No. 1 medium- and heavy-commercial vehicle brand for the 13th year in a row. This achievement is not an isolated event but rather a reflection of sustained customer trust built through consistency, reliability and lifecycle value.

Deliberate Focus on Growth and Quality

The management of the auto manufacturing group can look back over the last few years with a sense of accomplishment of the careful planning and thoughtful management, that has built up market momentum without losing focus on the level of quality the local African markets require.

This milestone reflects a multi-year trend of growth, a measured, deliberate response to sustained market demand that also proves confidence in the ISUZU brand and products in a tough operating environment. The achievement of this record, sets a positive example for the future of automotive manufacturing in South Africa. This big win, was grounded in structured and disciplined execution and responsible business development, ensuring that the growth did not come at the expense of quality or reliability. By aligning production with actual market needs, IMSAf has demonstrated its ability to scale while maintaining its reputation as a long-term manufacturing partner.

“Records are built on more than just machinery and equipment; they are built on the discipline of our people and the loyalty of our customers across the continent,” said Dominic Rimmer, Executive Vice President for Manufacturing and Product Engineering at Isuzu Motors South Africa. “Every record-breaking vehicle that leaves our production line represents a promise kept to our customers.”

“We aren’t just chasing volumes; we are expanding responsibly to move the world for those who keep our economies moving. The success of this financial year is rooted in the collective effort, skills, and commitment of the IMSAf workforce; supported by strong systems and operational discipline.”

This journey has reflected a people-centred approach, anchored in the core ISUZU value of Mutual Growth, where long-term business success is built through shared progress with employees, partners and the communities the brand serves. A great lesson for others venturing into the African Manufacturing space