Auto industry’s contribution to SA economy at a glance

At the maiden press conference of the inaugural SA Auto Week, Acting President of the National Association of Automotive Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) and CEO of Toyota SA, Andrew Kirby, presented a summary of the auto industry’s contribution to the economy.

Laurel and michael evans c K Dq7nx Vd Q unsplash

Here are some of the most titillating statistics:

  • The auto industry is the single largest manufacturing sector of the economy with a 17,3% slice of the pie
  • The industry contributes 4,3% to the country’s GDP
  • The capital expenditure of the industry is R8,8 billion by OEMs and R5,7 billion by component manufacturers
  • OEMs employ 30 697 people monthly
  • SA’s vehicle production for 2021 stood at 499 087 units and its total sales for the same period were 464 493.
  • SA ranks at nr 21 in the global vehicle production ranks.
  • SA’s global vehicle production market share is 0,62%
  • The total automotive export earnings for the year in question was R207,5 billion.
  • 5347 new jobs were added by the industry between July 2021 and June 2022
  • There are 12,96 million registered vehicles in SA

More Industry News stories

China's car industry boom masks looming crisis

China's car industry boom masks looming crisis

According to a Reuters report, China's automotive sector faces an unprecedented crisis beneath its outward success. Despite becoming the world's largest car exporter and producing global leaders like BYD and Geely, the industry is trapped in a destructive spiral threatening widespread bankruptcies.

  • 7 September 2025
European auto industry calls for strategic policy realignment

European auto industry calls for strategic policy realignment

Europe's automotive industry has issued a unified call for the European Union (EU) to recalibrate its green transition strategy, with leading manufacturers and suppliers expressing growing concerns about the feasibility of current electrification timelines and regulatory frameworks.

  • 6 September 2025
US tariffs drive down SA business confidence

US tariffs drive down SA business confidence

South African business sentiment deteriorated further in the third quarter of 2025, falling one point to reach 39, well below the long-term benchmark of 42 points, as punitive US tariffs took their toll on exporters, Reuters reported on Wednesday

  • 6 September 2025