Isuzu - celebrating 40 years on local roads

By Colin Windell

 

 

Now in its sixth generation in terms of local manufacture, the Isuzu bakkie shares a birth year with former Springbok Rugby Captain John Smit, the first test tube baby, the Walkman and the movie Grease.

The first bakkie, carrying the Isuzu badge, was built at the Kempston Road plant in Port Elizabeth 40 years ago. Today, boasting three body styles and an extensive model line-up, Isuzu bakkies continue to be a leading contender in the market place –to live the Isuzu Motors South Africa company strapline 'With you, for the long run'.

The first bakkie was launched at an original selling price of a whopping R3 485 for a 1,6-litre petrol engine bakkie and R4 295 for a 2,0-litre diesel engine bakkie.

Johan Vermeulen, Isuzu Motors South Africa executive: manufacturing and supply chain, said the bakkie has evolved over the years to remain one of South Africa's firm favourites.

"Over the years Isuzu vehicle assembly experienced many changes. We started production at the Kempston Road plant where we produced five generations and moved to the more modern Struandale plant when we started to build the sixth generation."

"With the introduction of modern technology, automation and lean manufacturing processes into automotive manufacturing, we were able to continuously improve efficiencies and quality of our products. Today, six generations later, our modern manufacturing processes and constant upskilling of labour, have made Isuzu bakkies one of South Africa's favourites."

A pioneer in many ways, the Isuzu bakkie was the first in South Africa to feature rack and pinion steering and independent front suspension. In the 1990s Isuzu was also the first to introduce double cabs into the South African market.

The Isuzu bakkie has many accolades in its proverbial trophy cabinet, including 15 local endurance records. 

In 2010 the Isuzu bakkie set 15 overall speed and distance records over 72 hours at the Gerotek – with a KB 300 D-TEQ bakkie completing 12 243,385 km at an average speed of 170,047 km/h. A KB 250 D-TEQ also achieved a new class record distance of 11 495,567 km.