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\n The warning comes as South Africa continues to grapple with rising production costs despite significant improvements in electricity supply following years of rolling blackouts that disrupted businesses across the country.
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\n Billy Tom, President of Isuzu Motors South Africa, said electricity tariffs have increased by more than 700% since 2007, placing a significant financial burden on manufacturers already facing rising input costs and intense competition from global markets.
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\n Speaking at the Manufacturing Indaba, Tom said the cost of electricity has become one of the biggest obstacles to expanding South Africa’s industrial base and attracting new investment.
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\n Industry calls for targeted electricity relief
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\n Tom argued that while South Africa has made notable progress in stabilising electricity supply, affordability has emerged as the next major challenge for manufacturers.
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\n He called on the government to introduce targeted electricity pricing support for energy-intensive industries, warning that high power costs are eroding the competitiveness of locally produced goods and discouraging industrial expansion.
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\n According to Tom, competitive electricity pricing is critical if South Africa is to strengthen its manufacturing sector, create jobs and attract fresh investment into value-added industries.
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\n The comments reflect broader concerns across South Africa’s industrial sector, where manufacturers have welcomed the reduction in load shedding but continue to struggle with rapidly rising operating costs.
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\n Manufacturing remains key to South Africa’s economy
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\n Isuzu Motors South Africa is one of the country’s largest vehicle manufacturers, producing commercial trucks and pickup vehicles for both domestic and export markets from its production facilities in Gqeberha.
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\n The company plays a significant role in South Africa’s automotive industry, one of the country’s largest manufacturing sectors and a major contributor to exports, employment and economic growth.
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\n Industry leaders have repeatedly warned that while improvements in electricity reliability are encouraging, escalating tariffs risk undermining the gains made in restoring business confidence.
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\n Manufacturers argue that without more competitive energy pricing, South Africa could lose investment opportunities to countries with lower production costs, weakening its position as one of Africa’s leading industrial hubs.
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\n The latest warning from Isuzu underscores a growing concern among manufacturers that reliable electricity alone is no longer enough.
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\n As companies weigh future investment decisions, the affordability of power is becoming just as important as its availability in determining South Africa’s industrial competitiveness.
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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