Supply of Toyota vehicles to Zambia is getting back on track after devastating floods in South Africa earlier this year delayed shipments of cars.
The company is working at full speed to get its plant in KwaZulu-Natal back up and running after April’s floods badly affected the region’s automotive industry, with production halted at Toyota’s Durban factory, logistics routes knocked out and damage to the port of Durban.
It has been three months since the Toyota Prospection Plant in Durban suspended its operations due to the damage caused by heavy rain and flooding from the Ntshongweni Dam.; which flooded the factory in 50 minutes after the river dam broke.
The 87-hectare plant produces and sells vehicles such as the Hilux pick-up, Corolla Cross, Hiace and Fortuner to 74 different countries around the world, Zambia being one of them.
“Our colleagues in South Africa are working round the clock to stabilise production ; they have our full sympathy and support after such a devastating catastrophe,” said Toyota Zambia Chief Operating Officer Nenad Predrevac.
The floods have caused serious logistics problems for the in-bound movement of automotive parts and the delivery of finished vehicles outbound via the port.
The factory is set to begin with production during July and is expected to return to full capacity from October this year.
“We thank our customers in Zambia for their patience and support during this difficult time and wish to reassure them that we are in constant communication with our production centre to ensure full availability is restored as soon as possible,” added Mr Predrevac.
Toyota South Africa announced that it is slowly getting back after the intense floods, and that about 4000 of the production vehicles that were on site at the time will be written off and have been destroyed for the purpose of future quality.
Parent company Toyota Motor Corporation Company is supporting the plant hindered by the floods with all the cash flow challenges they are facing as it gets back on the road.
Toyota South African Motors is doing all that they can including 18 hour shifts in a day, 9 hours each; 6 days a week and in every 90 seconds a Hilux pick-up is sent off.
About Toyota Zambia
Toyota Zambia is the official distributor and dealer for Toyota and Hino, and Automark pre-owned vehicles.
Through its branches in Lusaka, Kitwe, Livingstone and Solwezi, and authorised service centres in Kabwe, Chipata, Mkushi and Kasama, the company also provides genuine parts and quality aftersales service across Zambia.
Toyota Zambia has been a trusted household name in the vehicle market since its establishment in 1963 as a member of the Lonrho group of companies.
https://www.toyotazambia.co.zm/