Building more than vehicles

How localisation is building durable supplier capability and strengthening South Africa's industrial base.

R510 million invested in supplier tooling and capability development, supporting 729 vendor tools and 250 locally sourced components for the new ISUZU D-MAX with 86 new jobs created across suppliers: VSL Manufacturing and Praga.

Localisation with a longer-term purpose

For Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf), localisation is about more than replacing an imported component with one manufactured locally. It is about developing the industrial capability, technical expertise and supplier capacity that enable South African businesses to participate competitively in a global automotive manufacturing environment.

That philosophy is reflected in IMSAf's R510 million investment in supplier tooling and capability development undertaken as part of the development programme for the new ISUZU D-MAX. The investment enabled the development of 729 vendor tools across IMSAf's supplier network, supporting the production of 250 locally sourced components.

Behind each locally manufactured component is an ecosystem of businesses, employees, technical expertise, production processes and manufacturing infrastructure. By investing in that ecosystem, IMSAf is helping create the conditions for local suppliers to strengthen their capabilities to meet global standards and particip-ate sustainably in South Africa's automotive value chain.

From localisation to lasting capability

The programme is designed to do more than increase local content. It enables suppliers to expand production capacity, strengthen manufacturing capability and meet ISUZU's global quality require-ments. Sustainable localisation is ultimately measured by whether

local businesses gain the technology, systems, expertise and pro-duction capability needed to remain competitive beyond a single vehicle programme.Local suppliers are exposed to international automotive manufacturing requirements across quality planning, process control, dimensional validation, tooling development and production readiness. Technical collaboration involving Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan, ISUZU Thailand and international technical partners has further supported local suppliers in meeting ISUZU's global manufacturing and quality standards.

Technical collaboration involving Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan, ISUZU Thailand and international technical partners has further supported local suppliers in meeting ISUZU’s global manufacturing and quality standards.

Turning investment into jobs and production capacity

The impact is already visible within the Eastern Cape manufacturing sector. VSL Manufacturing, incubated as part of IMSAf’s localisation strategy to support large stamping operations, created 52 new jobs and now manufactures 25 large pressed skin panels for the new ISUZU D-MAX, including the bonnet, body side panels, front and rear doors and tailgates.

Chassis supplier Praga also expanded its operations, creating 34 new jobs to support the production of stamped and welded chassis frame assemblies supplied directly to IMSAf’s manufacturing plant in Gqeberha.

The localisation footprint now extends across a broad range of parts, including bonnets, grilles, tailgates, body side panels, inner and outer door panels, seat trim components, chassis frame assemblies, brake pedals, knuckles and selected plastic parts.

“Developing capable and competitive local suppliers is fundamental to the sustainability of South Africa’s automotive industry. Our investment extends beyond vehicle production. It is about creating opportunities for suppliers to grow, strengthening manufacturing capability and building a resilient supply chain that can support future vehicle programmes.”

- Komane Pitso, Executive Vice President: Procurement and Logistics, Isuzu Motors South Africa