The president and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors says the local arm of the Japanese automaker is still “investigating” the possibility of building a “more affordable” car at its Prospecton plant in Durban.
Speaking to Engineering News, Toyota SA boss Andrew Kirby said that a decision had yet to be taken on adding a new model to the production line in Durban, where the automaker currently builds the Corolla, Corolla Quest, Fortuner, Hilux and Quantum, as well as Hino trucks.
“We have been investigating bringing an additional product to the South African plant, but no decision has been made yet,” Kirby said.
This follows Kirby’s comments to the same publication in August 2017 that Toyota SA was keen to “produce something more affordable” at its facility in KwaZulu-Natal. At the time, he added that the brand was “investigating a couple of models”.
The base version of the recently facelifted Aygo (R166 800) is currently the cheapest model in Toyota SA’s passenger vehicle line-up, while the Etios range (which is imported from India) starts at R171 000.
In the latest report, Kirby added that Toyota SA was considering creating a manufacturing presence in other African countries.
“We cannot yet say where this will be, but yes, these plants will be supported from South Africa.”
