Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has been recognised as the best original equipment manufacturer (OEM) at the 2026 Eastern Cape Exporter of the Year Awards.
The Japanese automaker has a factory in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) where it produces a range of commercial vehicles for the domestic market and for export to countries across the continent.
Its most popular offering is the D-Max midsize bakkie series, which is sold in single-cab, extended cab, and double cab body configurations.
IMSAf announced this week that it received three accolades, including the prestigious Best Exporter OEM Award at the Eastern Cape Exporter of the Year Awards held on Friday, 6 November 2026.
It also received two merit awards for environmental responsibility and corporate social investment in recognition of its export performance and broader contribution to sustainable business practices.
“These awards reflect the collective commitment of our employees, dealers, suppliers and partners to building a competitive and responsible manufacturing business,” said Celestin Ndhlovu, Executive Vice President: Corporate Services at Isuzu Motors South Africa.
“Our contribution goes beyond manufacturing and exporting vehicles. Through local manufacturing, supplier development, localisation efforts, skills development and community initiatives, we support economic opportunities that benefit the Eastern Cape and South Africa.”
IMSAf is one of South Africa’s legacy OEMs alongside BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW, Toyota, and Ford, playing a crucial role in the automotive industry and export sector.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the company recorded a 21% year-on-year increase in combined production volumes of trucks and D-Max bakkies.
Over 27,400 D-Max units and over 3,800 trucks were produced at its Struandale plant in Gqeberha, many of which were exported to more than 30 African countries.
“The Best Exporter OEM Award recognises IMSAf’s continued success in exporting locally manufactured vehicles from the Eastern Cape to markets across the rest of Africa,” said Isuzu.
Isuzu recently invested R510 million in its supplier tooling and capability development at its plant to support D-Max production.
The investment funded 729 vendor tools across its local supplier network, enabling the production of 250 locally sourced components.
The company also reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 38% compared with its 2013 baseline and is currently working towards a 50% reduction by 2030.
Additionally, Isuzu maintains a zero-waste-to-landfill policy, achieving a 96% recycling rate and supporting more circular manufacturing practices.
The automaker also engages in community upliftment programmes, collaborating with Gift of the Givers to provide Isuzu water tanker trucks that delivered 29.6 million litres of clean water to drought-affected areas.
Three D-Max bakkies were also used to support food relief initiatives that reached 526,000 people, including the distribution of harvested invasive carp.
Isuzu stated that it is also committed to developing skills to support South Africa’s automotive and manufacturing industries.
The carmaker supports multiple initiatives spanning different stages of education, from improving literacy at three primary schools through the Rally to Read programme to advancing digital literacy and technological skills through AI, Coding and Robotics laboratories, including a facility benefiting 650 learners at Khulile Primary School.
“As we continue to strengthen our presence across African markets, we remain focused on growing our export business, supporting local industry and investing in the people and communities we serve,” said Ndhlovu.
“This recognition reinforces our commitment to building a resilient and sustainable business that delivers long-term value for our customers, employees, partners, and the Eastern Cape economy.”
Loading ...
