Isuzu Motors South Africa is stepping up its ambitions to position the country as a central hub for truck manufacturing on the continent. The company, which already exports pickup vehicles to more than 30 international markets, has unveiled plans to expand its truck export footprint, with a particular focus on West Africa.
At present, African production accounts for just 23% of Isuzu’s output. The company hopes to raise that figure to 45%, a move that would strengthen local manufacturing, create jobs, and reduce the region’s reliance on imported trucks.
The strategy comes at a difficult time for South Africa’s broader automotive sector. Over the past two years, the industry has been battered by weak domestic sales and a surge in cheaper imports, forcing the closure of 12 auto plants and resulting in the loss of around 4,000 jobs.
Adding to the pressure are newly imposed U.S. tariffs on vehicle imports, which have hit South African manufacturers hard. Exports to the American market have plunged by more than 80% in 2025, undermining one of the industry’s key revenue streams.
For Isuzu, however, the focus is on turning challenges into opportunity. By scaling up production within Africa and building stronger regional markets, the automaker hopes to secure long-term resilience while positioning South Africa as a leader in the continent’s automotive value chain.
Analysts note that if successful, the strategy could not only support South Africa’s struggling auto industry but also reshape Africa’s manufacturing landscape.
