MAHINDRA DRIVES LOCAL GROWTH ON SOUTH AFRICAN BAKKIE BOOM WITH NEW KZN ASSEMBLY PLANT

Mahindra South Africa boosts its bakkie production with new capacity assembly plant in KwaZulu-Natal, creating jobs and strengthening its local manufacturing.

South africa Vehicle assembly plant Bakkie market Local suppliers Automotive.

Mahindra South Africa unveils (SKD) vehicle assembly plant

Mahindra South Africa is shifting gears in the country’s fiercely competitive bakkie market, unveiling a state-of-the-art (SKD) vehicle assembly plant at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal.

The new facility dedicated to producing the in-demand Pik Up range in both single- and double-cab models signals Mahindra’s intent to cement its place among the top automotive brands in South Africa. It also reflects a broader strategic push to deepen local manufacturing, boost supplier networks, and prepare for future model expansions.

Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra SA, said the move was driven by surging demand and the need for greater production capacity. “We needed a facility with the scale, flexibility, and technology to meet future growth while maintaining world-class quality,” he explained during the official opening.

Capable of producing over 1,000 units a month, the Durban plant incorporates advanced quality control systems and customised production zones to meet specific customer needs. While a fully-fledged, completely knocked down (CKD) plant remains under consideration with a joint feasibility study underway with the Industrial Development Corporation, Mahindra says the current expansion is a game changer in its own right.

The company is also ramping up localisation efforts by working with South African suppliers, a move aimed at creating jobs, boosting the local economy, and aligning with the country’s automotive development goals. “This investment underscores our confidence in South Africa as a manufacturing base,” Gupta said.

Sachin Arolkar, Mahindra & Mahindra’s head of international operations, described South Africa as “a cornerstone market” in the company’s global strategy. “This facility not only strengthens our ability to serve local customers but also enhances our regional manufacturing capabilities,” he noted.

Since launching local assembly in 2018, Mahindra has rapidly climbed into South Africa’s top 10 automotive brands, with its Pik Up line gaining a reputation for rugged reliability. The new KZN facility, the largest SKD automotive plant in the country, is expected to fuel further growth both for Mahindra and for South Africa’s automotive sector.

This partnership has delivered a world-class semi-knockdown automotive facility that stands as the largest of its kind in South Africa. “This partnership between global expertise and local capability is creating jobs, developing skills, and advancing the country’s automotive manufacturing sector,” said Dempsey Naidoo, chair of AIH Logistics, Mahindra’s local assembly partner.

Industry analysts say the plant not only strengthens Mahindra’s competitiveness but also injects momentum into one of South Africa’s largest and most export-focused manufacturing industries.

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MAHINDRA DRIVES LOCAL GROWTH ON SOUTH AFRICAN BAKKIE BOOM WITH NEW KZN ASSEMBLY PLANT

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