South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised a $633 million investment by Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), describing it as a powerful demonstration of the country’s skilled workforce and its ability to attract long-term, job-creating investments. Toyota South Africa Motors, the local subsidiary of Japan’s largest car manufacturer, has completed more than 77% of its R10.4 billion investment programme aimed at producing the next-generation Toyota Hilux pickup truck at its Prospecton plant in Durban. Pilot production of the new Hilux is expected to begin soon, with the full project sche

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised a $633 million investment by Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), describing it as a powerful demonstration of the country’s skilled workforce and its ability to attract long-term, job-creating investments.

Toyota South Africa Motors, the local subsidiary of Japan’s largest car manufacturer, has completed more than 77% of its R10.4 billion investment programme aimed at producing the next-generation Toyota Hilux pickup truck at its Prospecton plant in Durban.

Pilot production of the new Hilux is expected to begin soon, with the full project scheduled for completion by June 2027.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the ninth-generation Toyota Hilux, President Ramaphosa said the project represents much more than the launch of a new vehicle.

“Today is about much more than the launch of a new vehicle. It is about confidence in South Africa. It is about the enduring value of long-term investment,” Ramaphosa said.

He highlighted the contribution of South African workers, engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs involved in the automotive sector, saying the investment reflects the country’s ambition to build an economy that produces, innovates, exports and creates jobs.

The President noted that the Hilux has become part of South Africa’s national story over the past five decades. Although it carries one of the world’s most recognised automotive brands, he said it is proudly considered a South African product because it is “designed for local conditions, built by South African hands, and exported from South African shores.”

A significant portion of Toyota’s investment is focused on strengthening local suppliers and increasing production capabilities. Around one-third of the investment has been allocated to supplier development and tooling, while local suppliers have committed an additional R2 billion to support localisation.

South Africa’s automotive industry remains a key pillar of the economy, contributing around 5% of GDP, supporting more than 115,000 direct manufacturing jobs, and providing livelihoods for over 600,000 people across the wider value chain.

Ramaphosa said the government is working to keep the sector globally competitive through support for component manufacturing, battery value chains, research, innovation and skills development in new-energy vehicles.

The Toyota investment comes as South Africa continues positioning itself as a major automotive manufacturing hub in Africa, with locally produced vehicles exported mainly to markets in the United Kingdom and Europe.

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