The first SA-assembled versions of the Peugeot Landtrek are now expected to roll out of Stellantis SA’s Coega facility only towards the end of 2027, at the earliest…
- SA-assembled Landtrek units expected late in 2027 at best
- Stellantis SA boss confirms plans to add 2 other models
- Facility to export into Africa and the Middle East as well
The first locally assembled Peugeot Landtrek bakkies from Stellantis South Africa are now scheduled to start rolling off the line at the company’s planned Coega manufacturing facility in the Eastern Cape only “towards the end of 2027” – at the earliest.
Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Stellantis South Africa, confirmed the latest timing during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape at the start of October.
Currently, the SA-spec Peugeot Landtrek (which is closely related to the Changan Hunter) is imported from China. While a facelifted version – as shown in this article’s lead image – was revealed late in 2024, this updated model has yet to officially hit the market in Mzansi.
Back in March 2023, Stellantis announced plans to build a production facility in South Africa, with a stated aim of completing the project “by 2025”. By September 2023, that date had been narrowed down to the “end of 2025”, with the first units at that point expected to start rolling off the line in “early 2026”.
However, Whitfield – who officially took the helm at Stellantis South Africa in September 2023 after a 42-year career with Japanese automaker Nissan – told us: “I’d say the earliest [for production to start] would be towards the end of 2027”.
In addition, he confirmed the facility – to be located in Zone 2 of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Eastern Cape – would eventually assemble not only a bakkie but also at least 2 other as-yet-unconfirmed models.
“Pick-ups remain a significant part of the market. Up until probably a year ago, 95% of the pick-ups sold in this market were one of the 5 brands made in this market. One of the strategic directions we have at Stellantis is to ensure deeper localisation – what we sell in the region, we make in the region,” he said, referring specifically to Africa and the Middle East.
“So, we’ve already moved forward on the greenfield assembly operation – in fact, less than a kilometre away from here [in Coega] we have finished clearing and [finished] all the earthworks on 32 hectares. So, it’s a fairly big site.”
Whitfield explained that though the “original plan was to only produce the pick-up”, Stellantis pivoted due to a “change in the pick-up market”. He said: “We’re seeing a lot more imported pick-ups coming into the market, mainly Asian sourced”, before adding that “as road conditions improve in Africa”, the bakkie segment’s share of the total market effectively contracts.
“So, the original intention to have a plant only building pick-ups has changed. Pick-ups will be a core foundation of the plant [but] we will add 2 other products to the production base. So, we’ll start with the pick-up and then add other products. The intention is to start production at the end of 2027 – and it will be a full CKD [Completely Knocked Down] operation,” he added.
What might those 2 other products be? Well, while Whitfield wouldn’t go into specifics, he seemingly hinted one might take the form of a new-energy vehicle (NEV), while the other might be positioned in the so-called “micro-mobility” segment.
“The foundation is always going to be the pick-up. The ultimate structure of the new-energy vehicle programme [that is, SA’s so-called “NEV Roadmap”] will determine what the other is. We definitely see potential for micro-mobility as well as part of the production operations. But the core will be the pick-up.”
Earlier in 2025, Stellantis introduced the Morocco-built Fiat Tris electric 3-wheeler (in chassis-cab, flatbed and pick-up configurations) in the Middle East and Africa region – though not in South Africa.
The Netherlands-based corporation – which was formed in early 2021 with the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the PSA Group – is developing the greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega in co-operation with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
In 2023, Stellantis SA said production volumes were expected to reach “up to 50 000” CKD units annually. The company added the plant would be “predisposed in terms of space and painting” to reach up to 90 000 units a year. It is expected to export into the rest of Africa, with a “small portion” of units likely to be sent to the Middle East as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the earliest production start date for the South African-built Peugeot Landtrek at the Coega facility?
A: The first locally assembled Peugeot Landtrek units are now scheduled to start rolling off the line at the Coega manufacturing facility towards the end of 2027, at the earliest, according to Mike Whitfield. This is a revision of the previous target of “early 2026”.
Q: What models, besides the Peugeot Landtrek bakkie, will eventually be assembled at the Stellantis Coega plant?
A: The facility will eventually assembly the bakkie and at least 2 other as-yet-unconfirmed models. Stellantis SA boss Mike Whitfield hinted that one may be a new-energy vehicle (NEV) and the other could be positioned in the “micro-mobility” segment.
Q: Which regions is the Stellantis Coega manufacturing facility expected to export vehicles to?
A: The facility, located in the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), is intended to export units into the rest of Africa, with a “small portion” of units likely to be sent to the Middle East as well.
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