Shock Announcement: GM to leave the country by end of the year

In an announcement made Thursday, General Motors has stated that it no longer sees South Africa as a viable investment. The company has been building cars in South Africa since 1926 and has had a strong foothold in the market with brands such as Isuzu, Opel and the recently returned Chevrolet.

What happens next?

Manufacturing of Isuzu will continue as GM plans its exit for the end of 2017.  As per the GM website FAQ:  “If you are an Isuzu, Chevrolet or Opel owner on-going aftersales and parts support will continue through the existing GM dealer network to the end of 2017. All existing warranties and service plans remain in place and will be honoured beyond 2017.”

With Peugeot acquiring Opel whispers in the industry suggested that GM may have some drastic changes ahead and it would certainly seem that those have materialised. Isuzu will now be run by Isuzu trucks and fans can rest easy as the award winning bakkie range will still be on sale in South Africa, at least for the foreseeable future.  Opel should, by 2018 be fully run by Peugeot however that deal has not been concluded as of yet.  Chevrolet will for the second time exit South Africa altogether.

With job losses said to be around 2000 and counting this is a huge blow for the ailing South African economy.

South Africa is not the only country to suffer this devastating blow as GM also announced Thursday that it would cease Chevrolet sales in India by the end of 2017.

For more information on the GM shutdown visit:

www.gmsouthafrica.co.za