On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, the town of Bothaville became the site of a new world record. Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) rewrote the history books during the 2026 NAMPO Harvest Day, where the iconic Hilux reaffirmed its status as the heartbeat of the South African farming community by staging the largest recorded gathering of Hilux vehicles ever achieved.
The Record: 1,545 and Counting
In a remarkable display of brand loyalty and community spirit, 1,545 Hilux vehicles converged on NAMPO Park in Bothaville, officially reclaiming the record for the largest Hilux gathering ever recorded. This milestone sees Toyota surpass the previous global benchmark of 1,440 units, a title South Africa previously held following an earlier record at Atlantis Dunes.
“The record-breaking celebration was an incredibly memorable day,” said Leon Theron, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM. “We set our sights on making history and our Hilux community rallied behind us from across South Africa. This event wasn’t just about the record-breaking attempts; it was about honoring the enduring legacy of the Hilux and the strong community that surrounds it.”
Strict Adjudication and Future Records
To achieve this historic feat, every vehicle underwent a rigorous verification process. Beyond the primary gathering record, Toyota also undertook four additional Guinness World Record™ attempts on 13 May:
- Most pickup tailgates closed simultaneously
- Most car horns sounded simultaneously
- Most cars switching on their lights simultaneously
- Most car doors closed simultaneously
While the 1,545-vehicle gathering is confirmed, these four additional “simultaneous action” records are currently under official adjudication and will be announced once verified by Guinness World Records.
A Legacy on Display
The gathering served as a living timeline of the Hilux’s South African journey, which began in 1969. Among the 1,545 bakkies in Bothaville were standout examples of the brand’s “Legendary Toughness,” including one of the oldest models dating back to the early 1970s and another that has traveled over one million kilometers—a true reflection that the Hilux is built to last.
Hendrik Coetzee: The Nation’s First 9th-Gen Owner
The highlight for many in the Bothaville crowd was the grand prize draw. Hendrik Coetzee, a participant in the world record attempt, was announced as the winner of a brand-new, new-generation Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab.
Coetzee’s selection makes him one of the first customers in South Africa to take ownership of the next-generation model, a prize that includes complimentary insurance and a suite of premium accessories.
Resilience Through Innovation
The record-breaking event was a centerpiece of the broader NAMPO theme, “Resilience through Innovation.” For the thousands of families who traveled to Bothaville for the week-long festival (running until 15 May), the day was a celebration of a vehicle that has become a member of the family.
As Leon Theron concluded: “The Hilux is not only a vehicle. It is a legacy that is proudly South African—one that is truly built for generations and built into families, communities and shared moments.”