Toyota is to assemble Quantum and Ses'fikile minibuses at its Prospecton plant in Durban. Up till now these models, which share basic platform and mechanical components, have been built in Japan and imported fully assembled.
The initiative came from Toyota SA, which sees the Quantum and Ses'fikile ranges as core models in its South African range and believes that building them here will make the best use of its facilities in Durban and create new jobs.
Depending on the successful conclusion of certain preconditions, local assembly of these models should start in the second quarter of 2012.
Following an R8 billion upgrade that took five years and was completed in 2009, the Prospecton plant has a capacity of 220 000 vehicles a year. It already produces left and right-hand drive versions of the Corolla, Fortuner and Hilux ranges at this facility and exports these vehicles to 57 countries.