The CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors, Andrew Kirby, has urged the government to improve working conditions so that companies will continue to invest in the country.
Kirby was giving a speech on Thursday at their factory in Prospecton, Durban, when he announced that they have invested R10.4 billion to produce the new Hilux that has just started selling.
He said at the time their investment confirms Toyota Motor Corporation’s commitment to South Africa but the industry is facing global change.
He mentioned the tightening of laws that control environmental pollution, the development of technology and the import of new companies, which he may have been talking about in China but he did not name them.
“Because of this, our ability as a country to compete with others lies in the infrastructure, goals, technology that moves the car and production costs because that is what will mean our success and continued production in the future,” said Kirby.
He said that they have their own government not only to protect the industry they want but to make it flourish so that future generations will get it.
“The ninth generation Hilux is the result of leaders who chose to invest in South Africa many years ago. The decisions we make in the next few years will determine whether future generations will meet here in the future and enjoy the investment,” said Kirby.
He said success lies in everyone working together.
The event was attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was expected to give an opportunity, ended up sending a recorded video message.
Kirby said the arrival of the new car is more than just an upgrade.
“It means the development of technology, increasing the skills of workers and expanding the parties that are built here.”
He said in the South they have produced more than 2.9 million Hilux since they started with the second type 56 years ago.
The current Hilux is the ninth model.
He said Hilux is manufactured and distributed in 73 countries around the world.
He went on to say that of the R10.4 billion they have invested, 77% of it has been used by building a new shopping center and so on and they are looking to use all this money in the second half of 2027.
He said their employees send them to Japan and Thailand to learn more about the job.
Ramaphosa said Toyota’s investment of R10.4 billion clearly shows the investors South Africa wants to attract.
“What is most important about the investment of this money is not in machines or buildings but in the opportunities that thousands of South Africans get who rely on them.”