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• South Africa is a well-renowned country when it comes to bakkie production.
• Bakkies like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux are built for both the local and export markets.
• Several all-new bakkies will arrive locally in 2022.
• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24
South Africa is a bakkie-rich nation. So much so that we have world-class facilities where these vehicles are produced.
Here are all the volume bakkies produced in South Africa, and in which city they are built.
Toyota Hilux - Durban
Can it be said enough? The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in South Africa. It trounces everything in its way to being at the pinnacle of success locally. It's built at Toyota's Prospecton Plant in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, for the local and export markets. In 2020, the Hilux received a significant update that included an updated interior, improved suspension, and - perhaps the biggest talking point - an uprated 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine that now produces 150kW and 500Nm.
Ford Ranger - Pretoria
While the Ford Ranger is the second best-selling bakkie in South Africa, it is the number one vehicle when it comes to exports. The locally built Ranger is exported to almost 150 international markets, and this year, the 500 000th Ranger left the Silverton Assembly plant for export. Ford also produces its own engines at its Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape, whereafter its transported to Pretoria. The impressive Ranger Raptor is also locally produced.
An all-new Ranger will make its debut in South Africa in the latter stages of 2022, with Ford South Africa also making provision for the local production of the next Amarok that will share underpinnings with the Blue Oval's bakkie.
Nissan Navara - Pretoria
Perhaps the biggest news in South Africa's bakkie assembly story is Nissan now producing its facelifted Navara at its Roslyn plant. Nissan invested heavily in its local assembly plant a few years ago in preparation for the bakkie's local production. It's built in various body styles, and all are powered by Nissan's new old 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine. The application of this engine, along with the benefits of local production, has meant that Nissan could price its updated bakkie at a far more aggressive price point than originally perceived.
The automaker also produces the NP200 in South Africa.
Mahindra Pik Up - Durban
While Mahindra does not have the same reputability in South Africa as Toyota, Ford, and Nissan, it's a formidable player in the local bakkie market. Produced in Durban, the Pik Up is a strong seller in the local market and convinces buyers of its prowess every month. Its ride quality is a tad harsher than the more popular bakkies, but it's a workhorse of note. Which is why it is so popular.
Isuzu D-Max - Gqeberha
The Isuzu D-Max is rather long in the tooth, but an all-new model will debut in 2022. With this highlight on the horizon, Isuzu South Africa still sells around 1 000 units every month. Some years ago, the D-Max underwent a name change, with the 'KB' nomenclature dropping away to bring the bakkie in line with the international naming convention. The D-Max may be one of the more outdated bakkies in the market, but it remains an evergreen product in the local market.
