Isuzu hits milestone in Gqeberha plant

As the production shift ended in March at the Isuzu Motors SA manufacturing plant in Gqeberha, a milestone in the company’s history was achieved.

Isuzu recorded a 21% year-on-year increase in production volumes for both the ISUZU D-MAX bakkie and ISUZU Trucks.

For seven years, Isuzu Motors SA has stood shoulder to shoulder with Gift of the Givers, from dealing with the Makhanda water crisis to countless humanitarian operations. Their enduring partnership was underscored on Tuesday when the company handed over three new bakkies to the humanitarian organisation at Isuzu’s headquarters in Struandale, Gqeberha. The three Isuzu D-Max 4x4 bakkies, which are designed to handle rugged terrain, will help Gift of the Givers deliver aid to communities, particularly in inaccessible rural areas, in the Eastern Cape and beyond. Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said its partnership with Isuzu was critical in terms of disaster management, praising how they had gone the distance together since the relief efforts when the taps ran dry in Makhanda in 2019. “This is a very big thank you from us. You said you are in it for the long haul; we have been together for seven years now,” Sooliman said. “Isuzu has not only helped the community of Gqeberha; it has helped communities outside of this city in many parts of the province. “The story started in February 2019 when we moved into Makhanda to drill 16 boreholes in the area to kind of save the city. “Over a period of time even though we had the boreholes, water was still a huge crisis and we needed water tankers. “It was then that Isuzu stepped in and the water tankers are with us for seven years already,” Sooliman said. He said the company also previously provided three bakkies to support Gift of the Givers teams in disaster-affected areas. “Then there came Covid, in Covid there were multiple requirements. “One was to deliver personal protective equipment to different hospitals, 40 hospitals in the Eastern Cape. “Second was delivering food parcels to people that were hungry; third [there] was backup of hygiene support as required. “Isuzu SA immediately made available 20 bakkies that were put at our disposal. “The other thing that was dubbed as very important that was carried by those vehicles was 5,000 oxygen machines that we loaded to get to various hospitals in SA. “We did it because of their vehicles, they saved many lives,” Sooliman said. Most recently, during the Mthatha floods in June 2025, Isuzu again stepped in by providing an additional van to support the foundation’s team. Sooliman said Isuzu continued to be an exemplary partner, demonstrating what true corporate social responsibility looked like in action. Isuzu Motors SA executive vice-president for corporate services Celestin Ndhlovu and executive for corporate affairs Nandi Matomela said the need to continue supporting the community was at the heart of the company’s partnership with Gift of the Givers. Ndhlovu said the three bakkies were together valued at just under R2m. “I think for us what is key is ensuring that we can continue to support the community, because we know that our community is in dire need of support. “There are certain corners that are impacted by different types of disasters; we have seen floods, fires and in some communities we see hunger. “Yet partnering with you [Sooliman], we know we can make a meaningful impact, that we have seen, especially through our ability to support with our mobility solutions,” Ndhlovu said.

More than 27,400 ISUZU D-MAX bakkies and more than 3,800 ISUZU Trucks were produced at the plant.

While hitting record production volumes, Isuzu has retained its position as SA’s first medium- and heavy-commercial vehicle brand for the 13th year in a row.

Isuzu Motors SA manufacturing and product engineering executive vice president Dominic Rimmer said records were 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,” Rimmer said.

“Every record-breaking vehicle that leaves our production line represents a promise kept to our customers.

Isuzu Motors SA has appointed Takashi Nishida as its new chair, effective April 1. Nishida succeeds Satoshi Yamaguchi, who is retiring after a 43-year career with Isuzu Motors Limited. With a career at Isuzu spanning nearly three decades, Nishida brings global experience to his new role. He began his career in aftersales and parts operations before transitioning to overseas sales, where he has focused significantly on the African market over the past two decades. His international postings have included secondments to Isuzu Truck South Africa (2007-2010), Isuzu Motors International Operations Thailand, Isuzu Motors Sub-Saharan Africa (2016-2017) and Isuzu Motors International in Dubai (2017-2022). In addition to his role as chair, Nishida will serve as vice-president of the international sales division, international parts business, and trade management at Isuzu Motors Limited. “We are delighted to welcome Nishida to this leadership role in South Africa,” said Billy Tom, president of Isuzu Motors SA. “His deep understanding of our market, combined with extensive international experience, will be instrumental as we continue to drive sustainable growth and further expand the business.”

“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 is rooted in the collective effort, skills, and commitment of the Isuzu Motors SA workforce, supported by strong systems and operational discipline.”

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