In July 2023, YC Diesel South Africa opened its doors in the industrial hub of Pomona, Kempton Park, with a major focus on becoming a leading supplier of engines and generators in the ‘value’ segment of the market in southern Africa. The move, says CEO Jianyu Hao, was informed by the apparent lack of reputable value products in the engine and generator market in the region, supported by capable distributors.

Armed with the Yuchai range of engines and generators, YC Diesel South Africa is ready to plug the gap for a dependable value product in southern Africa. Founded in 1951 Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd. (Yuchai) is the largest manufacturer of generator-spec engines and the second-biggest manufacturer of engines in general (by volume) in China.

Customers in southern Africa will have access to a wide range of engines, all the way from 16 to  3 200 kW, covering a wide range of sectors such as generator-spec engines, pumps, marine, trucks and buses, amongst others. Readily available to date are 16-500 kW engine units, while sizes beyond that range will be available on order.

“On the generator side of the business, our range starts from 2 kVA to 4 MW. Currently in stock are sizes between 2 kVA and 600 kVA. Anything larger than that will be brought in per order, but with short lead times,” explains Hao.

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Of note is that both the Yuchai engines and generators are backed by a 2 000-hour/2-year warranty which, according to Tom Bloom, Brand Manager at YC Disel South Africa, is groundbreaking in the value segment of the market. “The market-leading warranty demonstrates the confidence that we have in the Yuchai product and it is also testament to our commitment to supporting this product in the market,” says Bloom.

As part of the brand establishment phase, YC Diesel exhibited at the recently ended Electra Mining Africa 2024 exhibition. The event, says Bloom, was a good platform to gauge the interest in the product. Based on the feedback from the show, both Bloom and Hao are excited by the prospects of quick growth in the market.

“Following the successful brand introduction at Electra Mining, we are taking the next step of establishing a strong dealer footprint to ensure unparalleled sales and service support to our customers. We have a two-tier approach to this plan. Firstly, we would like to partner with generator resellers and service agents. Secondly, we are looking to partner with existing premium generator suppliers who are wanting to introduce a reputable value product in their offerings,” explains Bloom.

One of the company’s key competitive edges is the wealth of experience in the establishment and supporting of brands in the African market. Hao, for example, brings years of experience in the automotive industry in South Africa and understands the dynamics of the local market, particularly the importance of customer support. Hao was part of a team that established the FAW brand in South Africa in the 1990s and played a crucial role taking FAW from being an unknown Chinese brand to becoming the leading truck name that it is in the SADC region today. During his tenure at FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA, Hao rose through the ranks from parts manager to CEO of the company, a position he held until his departure in 2022.

Bloom brings 20 years of experience in the local capital equipment sector, during which time he has led the successful launch of some leading construction brands in South Africa and southern Africa at large. His passion lies in driving company growth through fostering customer-focused relationships and nurturing a solution-oriented culture among staff. He firmly believes that when all parties are empowered, including shareholders, everyone benefits from this strategic approach.

Paul Lastrucci, the GM of the Group, boasts 42 years of experience in the local automotive industry. During his four-decade-long career, Lastrucci has worked for some of the leading automotive brands, holding high-profile service-related positions. His knowledge of the service environment will anchor an unparalleled service regime for YC Diesel South Africa. “We are equipped to be a leader in the value segment of the engine and generator market in southern Africa, an environment we believe needs a supplier of our stature. Apart from engines and generators, we will also be introducing other lines of products such as trucks and construction equipment. Watch the space!” concludes Hao.