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
Stakeholders believe the hosting of the Africa Automotive Show as part of the 3rd Intra African Trade Fair (IATF2023) will be a considerable boost to regional integration as countries prepare to trade under AfCFTA.
The Africa Automotive Show will take place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, from November 21-27, 2023.
It is hoped that the show will act as a platform for all role-players in the automotive value chain to connect from across the continent and globally.
“The aim is for the Africa Automotive Show to be the single most important trade and business development gathering for all automotive role-players, from raw material suppliers, vehicle and component manufacturers, dealers, importers, aftermarket parts manufacturers and suppliers as well as those from the financial and allied industries – from all parts of the continent,’’ said Africa Automotive Show Director, Andrew Binning.
Binning said the Africa Automotive Show – hosted by the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) – was a key activity of the cross-sectoral IATF2023 and included a dedicated automotive exhibition, a high-level conference and match-making meetings.
“As the event is focused on trade and partnerships promoting the development of regional automotive value-chains, participants representing all aspects of the automotive value-chain will be attending the week-long event in Cote d’Ivoire next year,” Binning said.
IATF2023, hosted by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA, is anticipated to draw 35 000 visitors from 75 countries and 1600 exhibitors to conclude around $43bn in trade and investment deals.
Dave Coffey, the CEO of AAAM, said: “Cote d’Ivoire and the West African region provide an excellent and relevant location for this edition of ‘Africa’s premier automotive show’.
“We believe the Africa Automotive Show is well timed as the automotive industry is gaining traction in Africa where we will see trading of vehicles between assembly hubs across the continent supported by the development of regional value chains. Cote d’Ivoire is currently developing its competitive automotive value proposition that will have profound economic benefits for the country and region in the medium and long term. In collaboration with Ghana and other countries in West Africa that develop their sustainable automotive niche, this will drive scale and real industrialisation..”
A new chapter begins as the first Lepas L4 vehicles depart Port Taicang in China, bound for South Africa.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
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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