General Motors exits SA - What you need to know

GENERAL Motors has assured owners of Chevrolet, Isuzu and Opel vehicles that they won’t be left high and dry following the company’s shock decision to quit South Africa.

All warranties and service plans will be honoured, and parts supply will continue to be available for Chevrolets for up to 10 years after production of the model has ceased, says GMSA.

Last Thursday’s announcement that General Motors was disinvesting in SA caught many by surprise and left affected vehicle owners concerned about resale values and after-sales support.

GMSA stated that it would stop local manufacture and sales of Chevrolet vehicles by the end of this year; that it will work with PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) group to develop the future strategy for the Opel brand in South Africa after the recent international sale of Opel to PSA; and that the newly-established Isuzu Motors South Africa will continue to produce Isuzu bakkies and trucks at the Struandale factory in Port Elizabeth, which it has purchased from GMSA. Production of the Chevrolet Spark hatch and Utility bakkie will cease by the end of the year.

GM said all existing warranties and service plans remain in place and will be honoured beyond 2017. From 2018, Isuzu dealers will provide after-sales support to Chevrolet and Opel customers until the discussions with PSA have been finalised. However, Isuzu Motors SA plans to trim GMSA’s dealer network down to 90 from the current 132 dealers.

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GM in happier times, celebrating the 250 000th Chevrolet Utility bakkie to be produced at the Port Elizabeth plant in 2015.