APRIL ended on a high note at FAW Trucks’ Coega manufacturing plant when the 7 000th locally assembled vehicle rolled out.
This marked another significant milestone for the Chinese brand that took the top spot in the heavy commercial vehicle segment of the local market for the first time in the first quarter of this year.
The unit in question was a JH6 28.500FT model, which has since been delivered to a well-established strategic fleet customer. The largest of the truck tractors from FAW Trucks, the JH6 28.500FT features a full floating extended-roof cab with an innovative flat floor design for optimal comfort and interior space.
Jianyu Hao, CEO of FAW South Africa, said, “This is an understandably proud moment for us.
“It reaffirms our commitment to the local market and is just reward for what is one of the largest investments made by a Chinese entity in this country.
“Since first entering the South African market, 27 years ago, we have gone from strength to strength, providing local buyers with products of high quality that are not only well suited to local conditions, but also boast high levels of safety, convenience and comfort.
“We have managed to combine this with competitive pricing, low running costs and excellent aftersales service.”
Funded by the China FAW Group Corporation and the China-Africa Development Fund, the first vehicle rolled off the Coega assembly line in July 2014. The facility, located in zone 2 of the Coega SEZ, was built at a cost of R600 million and spans some 30 000m².
This includes a state-of-the-art training facility, a body shop and a paint shop. It provides employment for 148 staff members.
All units arrive in South Africa in semi-knocked-down form and are then assembled at Coega.
“The reason for our continued growth in South Africa is the fact that we cater for virtually every need within the highly competitive commercial vehicle market,” explained Hao.
The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) also released a statement, congratulating FAW SA on achieving a significant milestone.
Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC unit head marketing and communications, said, “Nothing gives us greater joy than seeing our investors doing well on the back of a depressed economic environment. It is also worth mentioning FAW SA was also named as the Global Distributor of the Year 2017 and South Africa`s second biggest truck exporter.
“As the CDC, we’re very pleased to be the leading SEZ where the production of the FAW trucks is taking place, and in addition to this, the Coega SEZ automotive cluster is progressively making significant strides towards improving the socioeconomic conditions of the Eastern Cape region.”
ISSUED: QUICKPIC.CO.ZA
ADDITIONAL SOURCE: COEGA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PTY) LTD
