South Africa needs to strike a balance between protecting its automotive manufacturing against the devastating impact from the influx of Chinese and Indian vehicle brands on the one hand, without hampering the positive growth of its retail motor industry on the other.
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, representing more than 75 000 members in the retail motor industry, welcomes the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's internal review to assess potential measures to protect the automotive industry, but believes this should not be done to the detriment of the retail motor industry.
"It is late in the game for the South African Government to consider imposing tariffs of up to 50% on vehicles from China and India. Government should look at the entire economy and equally support the retail motor industry where these brands have been creating jobs," says Martlé Keyter, MISA's Chief Executive Officer: Operations.
MISA believes that Government should focus on encouraging Chinese and Indian brands to invest in manufacturing vehicles, parts and components locally to create more job opportunities.
Earlier this week MISA welcomed Chery's investment in South Africa with the acquisition of Nissan's production plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, which will offer employment to most of Nissan's affected employees and supporting supply chain.
MISA has repeatedly urged new Chinese and Indian brands, entering the country in 2025, to invest in establishing bigger dealership networks that will create jobs for employees negatively impacted by the closure of non-performing dealerships of traditional brands.
"The influx of Chinese and Indian brands stimulated the local market and created massive competitiveness. The result, new vehicle sales records for three consecutive months at the end of 2025, not only surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time but also reaching highs not seen in a decade," says Martlé.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have introduced a whole new vocabulary into motoring. Instead of simply talking about litres of fuel, cylinders and kilometres per tank, motorists are now confronted with kW, kWh, AC, DC, WLTP, regenerative braking and a host of other terms.
Young South African motorists are increasingly opting for more affordable and practical vehicles as the cost of living puts pressure on household budgets, while still maintaining comprehensive insurance cover.
The row over BMW’s Spider-Man promotion is not really about superheroes. It is about trust, control and the creeping feeling that modern cars are becoming digital platforms first and private possessions second.
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Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
Young South African motorists are increasingly opting for more affordable and practical vehicles as the cost of living puts pressure on household budgets, while still maintaining comprehensive insurance cover.
The row over BMW’s Spider-Man promotion is not really about superheroes. It is about trust, control and the creeping feeling that modern cars are becoming digital platforms first and private possessions second.
With forecasts of snow, icy rain and stormy weather across the country, motorists are urged to drive carefully and adapt their driving style to suit the conditions.
