naamsa | The Automotive Business Council recently launched its new Trade Manual with over 100 pages of information on South Africa’s performance as a vehicle market and vehicle exporter.
This 140-page publication is a rich source of information on the South African automotive industry, packed with facts, statistics and general insights on everything, from the 155 countries to which we export vehicles and components and their value, to precisely what goes where.
Mikel Mabasa, naamsa CEO, says the publishing of the manual kicks off the centenary celebrations of the automotive industry in South Africa, dating back to 1924 when the first Model T Fords were locally produced in Gqeberha.
Some interesting stats
Exports: During 2023, the export value of vehicles and automotive components increased by R43.5 billion, or 19.1%, from R227.3 billion in 2022 to a record R270.8 billion in 2023, comprising 14.7% of total South African exports.
Vehicle exports increased by 47 809 units to a record 399 594 units in 2023, up from the 351 785 units exported in 2022, while the vehicle export value increased by R46.9 billion from R157 billion in 2022 to a record R203.9 billion in 2023.
Destinations: The industry’s impressive export performance also includes record exports to all major regions, including the EU, Africa, SADC and North America.
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Broader automotive industry contribution to GDP | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| Vehicle and component production as % of South Africa’s manufacturing output | 21.9% | 22.6% |
| Average monthly employment by vehicle manufacturers | 33 509 | 33 154 |
| Automotive component sector employment | 82 560 | 81 860 |
| Capital expenditure – vehicle manufacturers | R5.2 billion | R7.3 billion |
| Capital expenditure – component sector | R4.2 billion | R2.95 billion |
| Total South African new vehicle sales | 531 552 units | 515 850 units |
| Total South African vehicle production | 632 362 units | 599 754 units |
| South Africa’s vehicle production as % of Africa’s vehicle production | 54.1% | 50.9% |
| South Africa’s global vehicle production ranking | 22nd | 21st |
| South Africa’s global vehicle production market share | 0.67% | 0.65% |
| Vehicle ownership ratio per 1 000 persons | 182 | 180 |
| Vehicle parc (number of registered vehicles) | 13.13 million | 13.36 million |
| Total automotive export revenue | R270.8 billion | R268.8 billion |
| Automotive export revenue as % of total South African export revenue | 14.7% | 14.7% |
| Number of export destinations | 148 | 155 |
| Number of export destinations with export values more than doubling year-on-year | 29 | 39 |
| Top automotive export destination in Rand value terms | Germany | Germany |
| Total South African vehicle exports | 399 809 units | 390 844 units |
| Value of vehicle exports | R203.9 billion | R205.4 billion |
| Top vehicle export destination in volume terms | Germany | Germany |
| Value of automotive component exports | R66.9 billion | R63.4 billion |
| Top automotive component export category in Rand value terms | Catalytic converters | Catalytic converters |
| Top automotive trading partner (imports and exports) in Rand value terms | Germany | Germany |
| Top automotive trading region (imports and exports) in Rand value terms | EU | EU |
| Top country of origin for total automotive imports in Rand value terms | Germany | Germany |
| Top country of origin for vehicle imports | India | India |
Choices: In 2023, there were no fewer than 46 passenger car brands and 2 172 model derivatives, the greatest selection of market-size ratio found globally. Similarly, in the light commercial vehicle segment, for the same period, there were 23 brands, with 525 model derivatives to choose from.
EVs: Sales of battery electric vehicles increased to 929 units in 2023, up from 502 units in 2022, but the segment remained stymied by the lack of more affordable models. NEV sales share, by 21 brands, as a percentage of total new vehicle sales, breached the 1% mark in 2023, increasing to 1.45%, up from 0.88% in 2022.
Catalytic converters: It remains the top automotive component exported from South Africa and comprised R25.9 billion, or 44.1% of total automotive component exports, followed by engine parts, tyres and transmission shafts and cranks.
Imports: Light vehicle imports declined by 27 966 units, or 8.6%, from 323 783 units in 2022 to 295 817 units in 2023 in line with a weak domestic new-vehicle market. The top country of origin, in terms of volume, for passenger cars and LCVs imported into South Africa in 2023, was India, with 157 326 vehicles, accounting for 53.2% of the total number of light vehicles imported. China consolidated its second position, accounting for 13.3%.
Investment: The seven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), with technology-embedded investment, came to R7.3 billion in 2024. The OEMs are Toyota, Volkswagen, Isuzu, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Nissan.
The EU: Vehicle and automotive component exports to the EU increased by R9.6 billion, or 6.5%, from R147.1 billion in 2023 to R156.7 billion in 2024, mainly owing to a rise in the value of vehicle exports to the region. Automotive imports from the EU decreased by R900 million, or 0.7%, from R139.4 billion in 2023 to R138.5 billion in 2024, in line with lower original equipment component imports from the region.
Agreements: The EU, Africa and US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) were the regions with a trade surplus in 2024. The largest deficit was recorded with the 48-country Asia region, including countries such as China, Japan, India and Thailand. Germany: The home to BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz remained the South African automotive industry’s biggest single trading country partner (exports and imports of vehicles and components combined) in 2024. Despite decreasing from the R161.1 billion in 2023, total automotive trade between the two countries still reached a significant R138.6 billion in 2024.
