With a presence in South Africa dating 24 years, FAW’s assembly plant has become the bedrock for further investments in the Eastern Cape. Inaugurated in July 2014, the plant was the first large-scale investment made by a China-based company in the region. In fact, it is still one of the largest foreign direct investments ever made in Coega.

FAW’s R600m plant currently provides employment for 120 people on a permanent basis, contributing positively to the overall unemployment rate in the province. Some 951 training hours have been completed year-to-date, with the training provided focusing on health and safety as well as skills development.

A total of 16 different models have been assembled at the plant in Coega, ranging from the ever-popular 8.140 to the landmark vehicle, a 420hp FAW 33.420FT truck tractor, which is the newest model in the company’s extra-heavy commercial vehicle range and is the successor to the popular FAW 28.380FT.

Total FAW exports reached 159 units in 2016, which rose to 212 units in 2017, establishing FAW as the second largest commercial vehicle exporter in South Africa. This is further testament to the brands promise to build quality vehicles in South Africa for Africa.

Customer demand for locally built FAW trucks meanwhile has increased exponentially in the last three years, primarily due to their assembly quality and speed to market. And the brand set a new total sales record in 2017, despite the tough economic environment.