New Hyundai plant will benefit SA economy

Deputy Director General for Industrial Policy Development, Garth Strachan says 3,200 jobs have been created at the new plant, which will contribute to economic growth in the country. Image: Carmag

Hyundai Automotive SA established the factory by buying an existing plant from Imperial Holdings as part of a R110m investment in the Commercial Vehicles division of Hyundai in South Africa.

Hyundai's initial aim is to produce 50 units a month, focusing specifically on the Hyundai HD65 and HD72 trucks.

According to Hyundai SA, most of the trucks produced in the plant will be distributed in the South African market, but Hyundai Automotive SA is also investigating options to export to markets in the sub-Saharan region of Africa.

Speaking at the official opening of the plant, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Deputy Director General responsible for Industrial Policy Development, Garth Strachan, said the plant will contribute greatly in the country's economy.

"Government is committed to providing support to Hyundai," he said.

Export goal of 20% of production

He said with the establishment of the plant, he hopes that this will reduce the country's dependency on foreign production.

Hyundai's Stanley Anderson says trained engineers from South Korea are in the country to assist with skills development and training of local workers. Image: Auto Junction

Of the vehicles to be assembled at the Benoni plant, 20% will be exported to neighbouring southern African countries such as Botswana and Namibia as part of the immediate plans.

According to Wade Griffin, Director of Commercial Vehicles at Hyundai Investment, the opening of the assembly plant forms an ideal platform from which to strengthen Hyundai business, both in terms of commercial market growth and sustainability, as well as an increasing commitment and investment in the South African economy.

"We believe that there are strong opportunities through investment and local assembly for our business. This investment will also help to improve local skills and to create jobs in an economy that is in dire need of such opportunities," he said.

Stanley Anderson, Marketing Director of Hyundai Automotive SA, said it is important to note that the company's investment reaches beyond the monetary involvement.

The plant has already created about 3,200 jobs and hopes to increase that number as time goes by.

Hyundai has brought in a number of trained engineers from Hyundai Motor Company's Commercial Vehicle division in South Korea to assist with the local training and development of staff to ensure that best practices are followed in the assembling process.

The plant has already produced its first trucks which are being distributed to local customers.