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President Cyril Ramaphosa joins Toyota South Africa in celebrating Toyota Corolla Cross

Press Release: Toyota South Africa Motors

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) hosted the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at its manufacturing plant in Durban on Tuesday. The President – accompanied by a delegation of public officials, including the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel had joined Toyota in celebrating the opening of the Corolla Cross production line in Prospecton, KwaZulu-Natal.

TSAM’s newest production line further reaffirms the company’s investment commitment to the South African economy and the local automotive sector. Established some 60 years ago, Toyota in South Africa has grown significantly over the years and now manufactures Hilux, Fortuner, Corolla Quest and Hi-ace at its Prospecton Plant, while selected Hino and Dyna models are produced as SKD or semi-knocked-down assemblies.

In his remarks, President and CEO of TSAM Andrew Kirby noted: “If you tally up the investments we’ve made in this plant spanning the last five years – of which Corolla Cross accounts for R2.6 billion, we arrive at a cumulative figure of over R6.5 billion. So, we are therefore committed to further developing and strengthening our business in South Africa and making a difference in the country, our communities, our suppliers, dealers, customers and of course in own employee’s lives.”

The introduction of the Corolla Cross model has generated a total of 575 new jobs at the TSAM plant while over 1200 direct jobs were created in the component supply base. Another significant focus during the project was to maximise the local content for this model.

This resulted in the localisation of 621 parts with 56 local suppliers – 16 of which are Black-owned. TSAM has also onboarded five new Tier-1 suppliers (all Black-owned) and 12 new Tier-2/3 suppliers. The economic contribution with TSAM’s local suppliers for this project is over R1.4 billion per annum.

To mark the official opening of this significant event for TSAM, President Ramaphosa had initially officiated a ribbon-cutting ceremony – flanked by Andrew Kirby; Imai-san; Nigel Ward; Minister Patel and other regional public officials – before addressing a number of dignitaries and other stakeholders in the automotive industry in the company’s auditorium.

According to Ramaphosa: “I had called upon Japanese carmakers to strengthen their investment in South Africa. A few months later at the second South Africa Investment Conference, Mr Andrew Kirby came up to stage to announce Toyota’s new investment (R2,6 billion)… I am particularly pleased to see that the announcement that was made has led to the creation of so many jobs – a total of 1 775 jobs made through the announcement of the investment [of the Corolla Cross production].”  

The new Corolla Cross is based on the acclaimed Toyota New Global Architecture platform, or simply the TNGA platform. As of August 2021, 32 Toyota and Lexus models are using this platform and now account for approximately 70% of global Toyota sales. From a regional marketing perspective, the Corolla Cross is produced in both right- and left-hand drive variants and is also the first model to be produced en masse on the continent. It will be exported to more than 40 countries in Africa.

Tribute to a global industry giant, the late Dr Johan van Zyl

On Friday 6th August 2021, industry player from around the globe, joined Toyota South Africa bid farewell to one of Africa’s business giants, Dr Johan van Zyl, during a touching celebration of his life and legacy.  

Dr van Zyl began his career with the company in 1993 as Director for Vehicle Sales & Dealer Network. He was appointed President and COO of Toyota South Africa (TSA) in 2002, and President and CEO in 2003. In June 2009, Dr van Zyl was appointed as a Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation(TMC), CEO of Africa Region in April 2013, and Senior Managing Officer in April 2017.

In 2015 he took on the role of President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe (TME) until his retirement in early 2021. It was noted that he left an indelible mark there too as, under his tenure, sales in Europe passed the one-million mark in 2019 for the first time in 10 years. On his return to South Africa, Dr van Zyl remained chairman of TSA.

He was without a doubt my mentor and confidante and I’m going to miss bouncing ideas off him.

– Andrew Kirby, Dr van Zyl’s successor and current President and CEO of Toyota South Africa

“The Doc”, as he was affectionately known, had an uncanny sense of knowing just what consumers want and he was able to instill this thinking in all his colleagues, which is why he had such a profound impact on the Toyota Family.

But for all his successes in the corporate world, what “The Doc” will be remembered for the most was his humanity – his ability to remember the name of each and every person he came into contact with, his self- deprecating sense of humour that immediately put everyone at ease, and his comprehensive wealth of general knowledge.

Due to the pandemic restrictions, physical attendance at the company’s Sales and Marketing head office was limited to close family, friends and Toyota colleagues, but thanks to technology, close to 7000 from around the globe were able to watch the livestream and playback of the proceedings.

It was a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable captain of industry as all 14 speakers attested to. Andrew Kirby, Dr van Zyl’s successor and current President and CEO of Toyota South Africa, was personally appointed by the Doc.

“I owe my career and many opportunities that I have been given to Johan. He helped me develop and lead me to where I am today. He was without a doubt my mentor and confidante and I’m going to miss bouncing ideas off him.”

Brand Pretorius recalled that the last time he stood at the podium in the Toyota Auditorium was 26 years ago when he was still at the helm of Toyota; then it was for his own farewell, and now it was for farewell of another kind, but a far sadder one – saying goodbye to his lifelong friend. Interestingly, it was Brand that set Johan on the automotive path, having poached him from academia.

“From the first moment I met him I could sense his formidable intellect and integrity. I was also impressed with this sense of attitude, energy, passion and saw some definitive leadership qualities that would lead to greater things. I knew we needed him to be part of the Toyota team. In 1993, we had a vacancy for the Director of Sales and Dealer Network. I recruited him and got him to join Toyota… He did a brilliant job and I was immensely proud of him.”

Brand Pretorius

And true to that prophecy he did scale the heights of automotive excellence, landing the top spot as President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe (TME) in 2015. His successor, Matthew Harrison recounts that he “will forever remember his leadership and humour. He leaves behind an incredible legacy of his six years in Europe. Under his leadership, we grew the business to over 1 million sales and Toyota became the Number-two passenger car brand for the first time in our history.

He saw the opportunities to partner with government and to grow local component manufacturing

– Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition

We also led the market in terms of our electrification mix and environmental performance. At the same time, we increased our profitability… We will also never forget his personal engagement in the Brexit negotiations to ensure the best possible outcome for Toyota.”

The Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition, Ebrahim Patel echoed Matt’s sentiments, highlighting how Johan was instrumental in helping to shape the new fit-for-purpose APDP.

“He saw the opportunities to partner with government and to grow local component manufacturing. He just had passion for industrialisation. By 2019, before the pandemic hit, the industry in South Africa had reached record local production and export levels – a tribute to his leadership and his work.”

What was noteworthy is that despite the fact that each speaker touched on a different aspect of their time with the Doc, there was one golden thread – and that was sheer quality of his humanity. Roelf Meyer, summed it up the most appropriately: “Johan had the most unassuming nature – his interactions with people from grass-roots level to presidents was the same. It was a model on how all people should conduct themselves.”

It’s therefore fitting that Andrew Kirby closed off the event with the announcement that in recognition of Dr Van Zyl’s significant contribution to the SA motor industry, the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) is going to set up a memorial education initiative in his name – the proceeds from the members will be bequeathed to TWIMS (Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies) and will be used as bursaries for deserving students.

Toyota South Africa is also going to establish a Dr Johan van Zyl Scholarship Bursary Endowment Fund to further the much-needed education of previously-disadvantaged South Africans. (In a similar vein, Matthew Harrison also announced that TME would be establishing a foundation in Dr van Zyl’s name to support education and uplift young people; a scholarship in the Doc’s name will likewise be set up in Israel.)

WATCH: Andrew Kirby drives the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross

The new Toyota Corolla Cross, to be built at Toyota’s Prospecton Plant in Durban, will generate R2.85 billion a year in local component purchases and the employment of more than 1500 people.

Watch Toyota South Africa Motor’s CEO and President, Andrew Kirby’s excitement after taking the Corolla Cross for a spin

TOYOTA REVEALS THE NEW PASSENGER MODEL TO BE BUILT IN DURBAN

This car, the all-new Corolla Cross, is tangible proof of our commitment to the local motor industry, as well as the South African economy.

– Andrew Kirby, TSAM President and CEO. 

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has announced that it will be manufacturing and selling the brand-new Corolla Cross in South Africa in the fourth quarter of the year. The model reveal, made by TSAM President and CEO Andrew Kirby, follows the company’s announcement in 2019 that it was investing R2.43 billion in the production of a new passenger vehicle in South Africa.

 

“We will be manufacturing this very model [Corolla Cross] in both right- and left-hand drive for South Africa and the rest of Africa right here at Prospecton. The Corolla Cross is based on the acclaimed Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and will be built on our passenger car production line alongside the Corolla Quest,” says Andrew Kirby, TSAM President and CEO. 

It is the very first time that we will be manufacturing a Hybrid model which I believe will fast become a very popular choice.

– Nigel Ward, TSAM’s Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Manufacturing Support Group

The local production of the Corolla Cross also ushers in a couple of “firsts” for TSAM’s manufacturing team at the Prospecton Plant.

“This is a significant milestone for Toyota South Africa. It’s not often that we get to produce a brand-new body shape in our factory; plus, it is the very first time that we will be manufacturing a Hybrid model which I believe will fast become a very popular choice. And it’s the first time for us to manufacture using the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) – which allows us to keep up with global technology and trends,” says Nigel Ward, TSAM’s Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Manufacturing Support Group. 

WATCH: Andrew Kirby introduces the proudly and locally manufactured Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross will be exported to 43 countries in Africa and is expected to push Toyota export volumes to about 15-20% per annum. Toyota is projecting growth of 7% per annum in the SUV market in Africa – offering significant growth opportunities to expand production of this new model. 

This is an ideal vehicle for our market as it provides an exceptional balance between drivability, roominess, comfort and high-tech features

– ANDREW KIRBY, TSAM PRESIDENT AND CEO

While the Corolla Cross shares the same TNGA C platform with its namesake Corolla, it boasts a higher ground clearance and other attributes normally associated with an SUV.  

 

According to Kirby: “This is an ideal vehicle for our market. It provides an exceptional balance between drivability, roominess, comfort and high-tech features – truly a game-changing SUV. It combines everything you love about Corolla with the utilitarian and rugged aesthetics of a segment-leading SUV. Overall, expectation is that the Corolla Cross will not only contribute significant sales towards the Toyota brand, but also accelerate growth mini-SUV segment, increase overall size of the passenger market in South Africa and give momentum to electrification technologies.”

“This car, the all-new Corolla Cross, is tangible proof of our commitment to the local motor industry, as well as the South African economy,” says Kirby.

A comprehensive specification, including pricing, of the local models will shared upon product launch in the fourth quarter of 2021.