Toyota Tundra Set to Conquer South African Roads
South Africans have a long-standing love affair with bakkies, and soon, they may have a new crush. The Toyota Tundra, a powerful American-style pickup truck, is slated to arrive in right-hand drive, promising to intensify the nation’s passion for these vehicles.
Tundra’s Transformation
The Toyota Tundra, crafted for the North American market, is assembled in Indiana and Texas. However, this bakkie will be converted to right-hand drive by the Australian firm, Autogroup International (AGI).
Partnership and Potential
Rospa International, based in Durban, has established a partnership with AGI. This collaboration could pave the way for the Toyota Tundra to make its debut in South Africa, imported via Australia. The Tundra boasts impressive specs, including a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 petrol engine combined with an electric motor, producing 325kW of power and 790Nm of torque. This combination will certainly appeal to local bakkie enthusiasts.
The Toyota Tundra is coming to South Africa, converted to right-hand drive, by Australian firm Autogroup International, in partnership with Rospa International.
🇿🇦 🇦🇺 https://t.co/N4z0m0f8hH #ToyotaTundra #RHD #SouthAfrica #Toyota pic.twitter.com/v36Q064L9F
— MotorPress (@Motorpress) April 12, 2024
“AGI firmly believes in right-hand-drive markets and the opportunities they present,”
—Rob Hill, CEO of AGI
Car sales in South Africa have been steadily increasing, with a notable rise in pickup truck sales. In 2023, bakkie sales increased by 10.2% compared to the previous year, signaling the enduring popularity of these vehicles within the country (StatsSA, 2024).
From Imports to Local Roads
Rospa International is experienced in importing classic and sports cars, mainly from Japan, including Nissan GT-Rs, Honda NSXs, Toyota AE86s, and Mazda RX-7s. This new partnership will expand its range to include American vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger and the Hummer EV.
Experienced Conversion Experts
AGI has been re-engineering vehicles since the early 1990s. The company has already converted more than 5,000 left-hand drive vehicles for markets around the world. Rospa International will offer financial support and warranties to buyers, including three-year/100,000km after-sales service.
