Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) hosted its 2026 IMSAf Address at the company’s Struandale manufacturing plant in Gqeberha, using the platform to reflect on its transformation over the past eight years and to outline a clear, future-focused direction for the business.
This year’s event marked a significant shift from previous editions, and it was also the first time since the launch of Isuzu Motors South Africa in 2018 that business media were hosted at the Struandale plant, a fitting backdrop given how much the business has evolved since then.
Against this backdrop of change, IMSAf used the IMSAf Address to formally introduce the ISUZU Corporate Philosophy to the South African market. Anchored by the purpose, Moving the World – For You, the philosophy articulates why ISUZU exists and how it intends to create long-term value for customers, employees, partners and society.
“Moving the World – For You” is not a slogan; it is our philosophy,” Billy Tom, President and Chief Executive Officer of Isuzu Motors South Africa. “We exist to help move people, goods and communities forward, and to do so in a way that creates lasting value.”
The philosophy brings together ISUZU’s global vision, mission and values, and serves as a guiding compass for the company’s strategy and decision-making. It reflects ISUZU’s belief that to move is to prosper, and that better transport enables better lives. For IMSAf, this means delivering reliable, future-ready mobility solutions while responding to evolving customer needs, advancing sustainability and strengthening its contribution to the communities and economies in which it operates.
“IMSAf today is a very different organisation to the one we launched eight years ago,” said Tom. “We have transformed our leadership structure, modernised our operations, consolidated our manufacturing footprint, and expanded our product offering, all while remaining true to the values that define ISUZU. This engagement was about showing that progress, and about being transparent about where we are going next.”
While purpose sets direction, performance provides the proof. In 2025, IMSAf’s focus on reliability, innovation and long-term partnerships was reflected in solid sales growth across its core segments, strengthening the brand’s position in a highly competitive market.
In 2025, Isuzu Motors South Africa retailed just over 26,000 vehicles locally, up 12.2% on 2024, and exported 5,371 vehicles to Rest of Africa markets, a 4.5% increase reinforcing its role as a regional manufacturing and export hub.
IMSAf retained its position as South Africa’s number one truck brand in the combined Medium – and Heavy – Commercial Vehicle segments for the 13th consecutive year, underpinned by continued growth in the Heavy – Commercial Vehicle segment. Strong passenger vehicle performance further supported results, with ISUZU D-MAX sales increasing by 11.7% and ISUZU MU-X volumes rising by 45.4%, reflecting strong market uptake of the new model.
“Our strength has always been consistency, driving continuity and delivering reliability. Customers choose ISUZU because they know exactly what to expect: vehicles that are reliable, durable and built for the realities of African operating conditions,” said Craig Uren, Executive Vice President Revenue Generation at Isuzu Motors South Africa. “What has changed is how we continue to innovate on that foundation, ensuring we remain relevant in a rapidly shifting market.”
The event highlighted Isuzu Motors South Africa’s continued commitment to local manufacturing excellence, people development, and supplier development in the Eastern Cape. Ongoing investments in automation, the expansion of the dealer network into Lesotho and the addition of a new dealership in Angola, together with new facilities such as ISUZU Cape Gate, reflect growing confidence in the ISUZU brand and its long-term presence in Southern Africa.
“Our manufacturing base in the Eastern Cape goes beyond being just an asset for Isuzu Motors Limited. It plays a meaningful role in supporting jobs, skills development and economic resilience in the region,” said Billy Tom, President and Chief Executive Officer of Isuzu Motors South Africa.
Central to this commitment is IMSAf’s role in strengthening its supply chain through strategic partnerships that deepen localisation and skills transfer.
As part of this effort, IMSAf supported the establishment of a new R750 million manufacturing facility by VSL Manufacturing in Struandale, adjacent to the IMSAf assembly plant in Gqeberha. Officially opened in late 2025, the facility produces critical body components for the ISUZU D-MAX model expanding local technical capability while creating skilled employment. IMSAf’s involvement extended beyond procurement, providing supplier development support and enabling VSL to scale operations to meet global automotive standards, reinforcing the Eastern Cape’s position as a key automotive manufacturing hub.
Guided by its newly articulated values, IMSAf continued to place strong emphasis on mutual growth, reflected in sustained investment in its people, dealer network and the communities in which it operates.
The company invested substantially in employee development, contributing to Top Employer recognition for four consecutive years, while supporting community development initiatives in water security, education and conservation.
Aligned with ISUZU Environmental Vision 2050, the business also continues to embed more core sustainable practices across its operations.
Looking to 2026, IMSAf confirmed the upcoming launch of the new ISUZU D-MAX and the next-generation truck range.
Uren added: “As we introduce new products and technologies, that commitment remains unchanged, to deliver solutions our customers can trust, today and into the future.”
