PRODUCTION (2024)*

• Cars – 350,384
• Commercial vehicles – 249,371
• Total 599,755

 South Africa’s auto sector is export oriented, with around two thirds of vehicles exported to 148 markets**

SALES (2024)**

• Cars 351,302
• Commercial vehicles (light, medium, heavy) and buses 164,410
• Total: 515,712
• Vehicle parc 13m (2023)***

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), in 2024 South Africa’s vehicle sales were under pressure due to a tough economic climate. Exports declined due to difficult conditions in South Africa’s main export markets.

 Sources:

*OICA

** NAAMSA

***South Africa Transport Department

Toyota – Prospecton, Durban – opened 1962 producing Corolla, Corolla Cross (incl. HEV), Hilux, Fortuner and Hiace

Volkswagen – Kariega plant established 1951 wth 3,500 employees. 167,084 vehicles and 23,195  EA111 engines (12/2024). Produces Polo Vivo and Polo for the South African market and is the sole supplier of the Polo for European and Asia-Pacific markets. VW will invest to make a new SUV at the plant from 2027.

BMW – Rosslyn, Pretoria plant established in 1973 and was the first BMW Group plant outside Germany. 2,000 employees. X3 PHEV made for global export. 1.7m vehicles have been produced at Rosslyn.

Ford – Pretoria – opened in 1923 and has 4,650 staff. Currently producing Ford Ranger. 1m Rangers have been produced from 2000 – 2024.

Nissan – Rosslyn, Pretoria, produces the Navarra. Approx 65,000 production units (2020 figures)

Stellantis – The Coega plant is expected to directly employ 1, 000 people and have an initial production target of 50, 000 vehicles per year, when it becomes operational, with a capacity to scale production to 90 000 vehicles per year (2024 Stallantis press release).

Isuzu – Port Elizabeth. Isuzu Motors has been producing vehicles in South Africa for more than 60 years. On 1 January 2018 Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSA) was established, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited – the first outside of Japan. IMSA employs more than 1,000 South Africans directly.

Mercedes Benz. East London, founded 1948, 2,400 employees. Production of right hand drive C Class and left hand drive for export.

Sources: SMMT research based on company websites and www.carmag.co.za

South Africa’s vehicle parc was 13.4 million vehicles in 2024, with 78% of passenger cars sold in the domestic market imported that year.

While South Africa has domestic component suppliers, the country also imports significant volumes of replacement parts. In 2024, the import of replacement parts increased by £615 million, or 17.1%, to £4.2 billion, up from £3.7 billion in 2023.

The expansion in the aftermarket product volume over recent years has been driven by trends including:

• The growth of vehicle imports
• Increase in the age of the vehicle parc (10 years 8 months in 2024, with 78% of vehicles 6 years or older)
• Advancements in vehicle technology
• Economic pressures on businesses and consumers.

The growing complexity of modern vehicles, with their advanced electronics and systems is increasing demand for specialist tools and diagnostic software, as well as training and skills development for technicians and service providers.

In 2024 the top 5 imported replacement parts were tyres, engine parts, transmission shafts/cranks, engines and axles.

Source: NAAMSA Automotive Trade Guide 2025

• Only companies with a UK registration and VAT number are eligible

• £500 offer is per company, not number of individuals

• Delegates must attend the Automechanika Johannesburg show

• £500 will be paid after the event and on submission of a feedback form

• Registration is required through SMMT