The CEO of the Gqeberha-based truck company FAW, Jian Yang, said he was thrilled to celebrate three decades of growth.
He opened proceedings on Thursday evening at the company’s 30-year celebration event at their plant at the Coega Special Economic Zone.
Yang recalled how FAW Trucks started in a small workshop in Johannesburg only producing 20 units annually, to where they are now, producing 20 trucks a day.
"We are looking to expand our manufacturing capacity of 20 units daily to thirty," said Yang.
The CEO said the last 20 years have been tough as they have been fighting for the top spot as the leading truck company in the country. In a quest to secure this spot, they have brought out four models, which saw them claim top spot in the market over the last five years.
Yang says they are also looking to bring an electrical truck to the country, to expand the green footprint, while hinting that they might also bring a Chinese car to South Africa in the coming years.
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor, Gary van Niekerk, said they were proud of what FAW means to the province and the Metro, as the company plays an integral part in job creation.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel said FAW's milestone is one of resilience and hope.
