Celebrating 40 years of local Isuzu production

One of the country’s most beloved bakkies is celebrating a special milestone this month … local production of the Isuzu bakkie has been taking place on South African soil for 40 years now!

In that time, more than 600 000 Isuzu bakkies have been built locally, across six generations. The first bakkie was launched at an original selling price of R3 485 for a 1,6-litre petrol-engine bakkie and R4 295 for a 2,0-litre diesel-engine bakkie.

Johan Vermeulen, Isuzu Motors South Africa executive: manufacturing and supply chain, says the bakkie has evolved over the years to remain one of South Africa’s firm favourites.

“Over the years Isuzu vehicle assembly experienced many changes. We started production at the Kempston Road plant (in Port Elizabeth) where we produced five generations and then moved to the more modern Struandale plant when we started to build the sixth generation (in 2013).

“With the introduction of modern technology, automation and lean-manufacturing processes into automotive manufacturing, we were able to continuously improve efficiencies and the quality of our products.

Today, six generations later, our modern manufacturing processes and constant upskilling of labour have made Isuzu’s bakkies one of South Africa’s favourites,” Vermeulen continues.

The Isuzu bakkie could be credited for introducing numerous firsts into the local pickup segment: it was the first in South Africa to feature rack and pinion steering and independent front suspension. In the 1990s Isuzu was also the first to introduce double cabs into the South African market.

It has achieved its fair share of accolades, too, including 15 local endurance records. In 2010, the Isuzu bakkie set 15 overall speed and distance records over 72 hours at the Gerotek vehicle-testing facility outside Pretoria – with a KB 300 D-TEQ bakkie completing 12 243,385 km at an average speed of 170,047 km/h. A KB 250 D-TEQ also achieved a new class record distance of 11 495,567 km.

Today, boasting three body styles and an extensive model line-up, Isuzu bakkies continue to place among the top sellers in the local bakkie market.