General Motors’ exit from SA will not affect local customers – Westvaal Polokwane
General Motors (GM) and Isuzu Motors recently announced their future plans for the Isuzu, Chevrolet and Opel brands in South Africa, subject to local regulatory requirements.
POLOKWANE – With this announcement, Isuzu Motors intends to purchase GM’s South African light commercial vehicle manufacturing operations and strengthen its presence in the market. GM intends to cease local manufacturing and selling Chevrolet vehicles in the domestic market by the end of 2017.
For the many local Chevrolet customers of Westvaal Polokwane who might have fears that GM have totally forgotten about them, Review spoke to Dave Stotter to ease their doubts. Strotter is the dealer principal of Westvaal Polokwane.
“As we all know by now is that Isuzu South Africa is going to take over from General Motors. Westvaal Polokwane is already a distributor of Isuzu Trucks and light commercial vehicles, and the GM light commercial vehicle (LCV) like that of the Chev Utility bakkie’s manufacturing operations will be incorporated into Isuzu,” says Stotter.
Strotter assured local Chevrolet customers that nothing is changing at Westvaal Polokwane in regard to the supply of parts and providing services for current Chevrolet vehicle owners. He says Westvaal Polokwane assures customers it will remain in market and are committed to serve their needs.
“We will continue to sell Chevrolet products and parts as well as the servicing of General Motors vehicles until we get the final word from Isuzu South Africa what the plans for the future is. But until then Westvaal Polokwane is operating as normal in regard with our Chevrolet clients,” says Stotter.
“After a thorough assessment of our South African operations, we believe it is best for Isuzu to integrate our light commercial vehicle manufacturing operations into its African business,” said Stefan Jacoby, GM executive vice president and president of GM International.
“We determined that continued or increased investment in manufacturing in South Africa would not provide GM the expected returns of other global investment opportunities.”
GM South Africa will also work closely with affected dealers on a robust transition plan. Customer support centre resources will be expanded, and all warranties and service agreements as well as ongoing service and parts requirements for all vehicles will continue to be honoured.
You may also want to read: How General Motors’ exit from SA affects you
Isuzu announced it intends to:
Purchase the Struandale manufacturing plant and GM’s minority shareholding in Isuzu Truck South Africa (Pty) Limited to continue manufacturing the Isuzu KB and medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks in Port Elizabeth.
This is subject to competition regulatory approval:
Assume control of GM’s Parts Distribution Centre and Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre
Set up of its own dedicated dealer network to market, distribute and service light commercial vehicles for existing and new Isuzu customers.
Isuzu vehicles have had a presence in South Africa since assembly began over 44 years ago.
For the past four years, Isuzu has occupied the number one position in the medium- and heavy-duty commercial truck segment of the South African market.
Customers in need of more info or who have a specific query, please don’t hesitate to contact GMSA directly or contact GM on 0800 422 777 or +2741 403 2555 (international) or email customercare@support.gmsa.com
Following the recent announcement of the sale of Opel and Vauxhall to the PSA Group, GM continues to work with PSA to evaluate future opportunity for the Opel brand in South Africa. Importantly, existing Chevrolet and Opel customers will continue to be supported in the market.
