CUTTING-EDGE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY FACILITY IN DURBAN, MARKING THE NEXT CHAPTER IN ITS LOCAL EXPANSION.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Mahindra South Africa unveils a new,
CUTTING-EDGE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY FACILITY IN DURBAN, MARKING THE NEXT CHAPTER IN ITS LOCAL EXPANSION.
Marking a significant milestone in its third decade within the country, Mahindra South Africa recently unveiled its new, purpose-built Vehicle Assembly Facility. This state-of-the-art facility is strategically located in the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mahindra South Africa ' s new plant signifies a substantial upgrade in capacity and technical sophistication, replacing their original 2018 assembly site. The facility adheres to Mahindra ' s global manufacturing benchmarks, featuring advanced quality control, expanded production lines, and specialized customization areas for South African clients.
Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa, stated, " Our initial facility was crucial in establishing our local presence. However, the increasing demand for our locally assembled Pik Up range necessitated a facility with the capacity, adaptability, and technology to support future expansion while upholding world-class quality."
The new Durban facility is capable of assembling over 1,000 Pik Up single- and double-cab models monthly, with potential for increased capacity based on demand. This facility also offers the flexibility to incorporate new Mahindra models planned for future introduction, while increasing the use of locally sourced components.
Mahindra ' s global engineering teams are actively collaborating with local suppliers to identify opportunities for enhanced localization, thereby supporting South Africa ' s industrial growth. Earlier this year, Mahindra partnered with the Industrial Development Corporation( IDC) to initiate a feasibility study for establishing a full-scale manufacturing plant in the country. The operational insights gained from the Durban facility will be crucial in shaping this study. " Our investment underscores our confidence in South Africa as both a manufacturing base and a key growth market for Mahindra globally," says Rajesh. " It reflects our commitment to creating jobs, supporting local industry, and delivering robust, reliable vehicles that meet the needs of South African customers."
Sachin Arolkar, Head of International Operations at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., adds, " South Africa is a cornerstone market in Mahindra’ s international growth strategy. This new facility not only strengthens our ability to serve local customers but also enhances our regional manufacturing capabilities. It is a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to invest in Africa and to make South Africa a central hub in our global operations."
• New plant developed from the ground up
• Production volume over 1 000 Pik Up models per month
• Mahindra the fastest-growing brand in Financial Year 2025
Since assembling its first local bakkie in 2018, Mahindra has become a top 10 best-selling brand in South Africa. According to official sales statistics from NAAMSA, the industry business council, Mahindra is one of the three fastest growing brands in the seven years since the plant opened.
Statistics from the business council also indicate that Mahindra was the fastest growing brand overall in the past financial year( April 2024 to March 2025), had the strongest start to 2025, and is the overall fastestgrowing brand in the 2025 calendar year to date. Similarly, the Mahindra Pik Up Single Cab, known for having the lowest total cost of ownership in its segment, is rolling off the assembly line.
Rajesh states, " The new assembly facility strengthens the brand’ s ability to compete in one of the most dynamic bakkie markets in the world, while laying the foundation for sustained growth in its third decade in the country."
Dr. Dempsey Naidoo, Chairman of AIH Logistics, Mahindra’ s local assembly partner, added,“ Our partnership with Mahindra since 2018 has delivered a world-class semi knocked-down automotive facility that stands as the largest of its kind in South Africa. This achievement reflects the power of collaboration between global expertise and local capability, creating jobs, developing skills, and advancing the country’ s automotive manufacturing sector.”
WORDS IN ACTION 6 SEPTEMBER 2025