Lepas L4 Embarks on its South African journey
A new chapter begins as the first Lepas L4 vehicles depart Port Taicang in China, bound for South Africa.
- Product News
- 2 February 2026
This past Friday (14 October), the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) signed an above-inflation wage agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation (AMEO) that will see workers in the automotive industry receive an 8.5% increase.
AMEO represents motor manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, while NUMSA is the country’s biggest union with over 400 000 members.
According to the deal that was signed at the National Bargaining Forum, the workers will receive the 8.5% increase in the first year followed by a 7% increase in both the second and third year of the three-year deal, which will be valid until 30 June 2025.
In addition, each employee will also receive a taxable one-off gratuity payment of R10 000.
The union said that workers could expect back pay from July to September at the end of this month.
In August, NUMSA rejected AMEO’s offer of a 6.2% increase in year one, followed by an increase of 5.6% in year two and 4.7% in year three.
In the statement NUMSA released to announce the agreement, they said that it was “significant that we have maintained the standard for the sake of workers and their families, when other unions are encouraging members to sign agreements and settle with (sic) 3%”.
A new chapter begins as the first Lepas L4 vehicles depart Port Taicang in China, bound for South Africa.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has renewed calls for stronger localisation, expanded job creation and deeper transformation in South Africa’s automotive industry after reviewing progress on the South African Automotive Industry Master Plan 2035.
As economic pressures and market volatility continue to shape the local transport industry, UD Trucks Southern Africa says it has demonstrated confident and stable growth, supported by strong retail partnerships and a relentless focus on customer uptime.
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Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has renewed calls for stronger localisation, expanded job creation and deeper transformation in South Africa’s automotive industry after reviewing progress on the South African Automotive Industry Master Plan 2035.
As economic pressures and market volatility continue to shape the local transport industry, UD Trucks Southern Africa says it has demonstrated confident and stable growth, supported by strong retail partnerships and a relentless focus on customer uptime.
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