Toyota invests R10.4 billion as new Hilux rolls off the Durban line
South Africa’s undisputed king of the bakkie market is officially entering a new era. Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has just marked a new milestone, celebrating the ceremonial "line-off" of the highly anticipated, ninth-generation Toyota Hilux at its Prospecton manufacturing plant in Durban.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Roots, Accelerating the Future,” the event was a massive national affair attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, and top-tier Toyota executives from Japan—underscoring how important this bakkie is to the South African economy.
The biggest headline? The launch is backed by a staggering R10.4 billion investment, making it the largest single product investment in TSAM’s history.
Hilux by the Numbers
For over five decades, the Hilux has been the backbone of SA’s automotive landscape. To understand why this R10.4 billion injection matters, you only have to look at the bakkie’s incredible local footprint:
56 Years: How long the Hilux has been built at the Prospecton plant (the oldest Toyota factory outside of Japan).
2.9 Million+: The number of Hilux units produced locally since day one.
74: International export markets across Africa and Europe that buy SA-built Hilux bakkies.
4,300+: Direct Hilux employees at the Durban plant, supporting a broader supplier network of 27 000 jobs.
46 Years: Toyota’s consecutive streak as South Africa’s best-selling automotive brand.
"The ninth-generation Hilux is not simply the next Hilux. It is the next chapter in South African manufacturing," said Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of TSAM. "The R10.4 billion investment reflects Toyota's enduring confidence in South Africa, its people and its manufacturing future.”
Where is the R10.4 billion going?
Toyota isn't just tweaking the factory floor; they are completely transforming their manufacturing ecosystem. The mega-investment breaks down into serious infrastructure and local development:
| Investment area | Amount / Detail | Focus |
| Production preparation | R7.2 Billion | Advanced manufacturing tech, new tooling, and equipment for the 9th-gen model. |
| Local supplier development | R3.2 Billion | Boosting domestic value chains and local parts sourcing. |
| Supplier partner cash injection | R2.0 Billion | Toyota's suppliers invest additional funding in their own facilities. |
| New infrastructure | 3 Major Facilities | A new 29,300m² Logistics Centre, a state-of-the-art Chassis Frame Coating Facility, and a Welding Facility (set for completion by June 2027). |
