Technology / Motors
GM celebrates 500 million global milestone
07 May 2015 at 06:07hrs | Views
More than 2.7 million vehicles produced in South Africa
Port Elizabeth: This week General Motors celebrates 500 million vehicles built globally over the past 106 years - the most by any automaker to date.
GM is the first vehicle manufacturer to achieve this milestone and remains focused on being the most valued automaker in the world.
While GM celebrates this achievement, General Motors South Africa (GMSA) is proud to have produced 2.76 million of these vehicles in the country since it started manufacturing operations in 1926.
Ian Nicholls, Vice President GMSA Operations, said GM attributes this momentous milestone to all its loyal customers.
Nicholls emphasized that they could not have reached this milestone had it not been for the customers. "Five hundred million vehicles means 500 million customers.
"We want to build on the solid foundation and the positive contribution GMSA has made to the lives of people since 1926."
Nicholls believes that buying a GM product from a dealer is not just a purchase, it is a memory. This memory is further nurtured by excellent aftersales service and customer support.
"We are committed to providing outstanding levels of service to our Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu customers through our 200 dealers across Sub-Saharan Africa," said Nicholls.
With a footprint in the region since 1913 when the first Chevrolets were imported, GMSA's long heritage bears testimony to years of experience in sales and after sales service.
Today the South African plant continues to proudly build the Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Utility, the Isuzu Pick-up and Isuzu Trucks.
Other key GMSA production milestones include:
1926: After seven months of production the 2 000th Chevrolet rolls off the line.
1927: In May the 5 000th Chevrolet rolled off the line.
1929: Production of the 25 000th Chevrolet
1966: Produced 750 000 vehicles (all brands)
1972: The 1 millionth vehicle came off the production line.
2014: 235 714 Chevrolet Utilities and 562 500 Isuzu KB's produced at the end of 2014.
Source - GM
