Along with guided tours of the new facility, CNH Industrial hosted guests on the site's test track, giving them the chance to drive 4x4 'Tested by Dakar' vehicles: a Daily from the light range, a Eurocargo from the medium range, and a Trakker from the heavy, off-road range. Adding to these vehicles was a '507 Dakar Replica' Trakker, a vehicle which competes in the world famous off-road Dakar rally, where Iveco has been a long-time sponsor of one of its most popular teams - Petronas De Rooy Iveco.
In addition to commercial vehicles, products from several other CNH Industrial brands were also displayed on site, such as agricultural machinery from Case IH and New Holland Agriculture; construction equipment from Case Construction and New Holland Construction; and mining and quarry vehicles from Iveco Astra.
The establishment of this facility in Pretoria is a major step for the company in this market, particularly in terms of local manufacturing, employment and commercial opportunities. It is the result of a successful partnership between the company's commercial vehicles brand, Iveco and Larimar Group, a South African public transport operator and bus bodybuilder.
Close to 1,000 South African employees are expected to be recruited for this new location where the Iveco and Iveco Bus brands have established production assembly lines for medium, heavy duty and extra heavy duty trucks as well as front engined and low floor city buses.
The majority of these vehicles are designed and destined for the local South African market, with a view to export 20%. The complex also includes a training centre for technicians and a product quality assurance department.
