Dakar - South African crews dig deep as second week begins
The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
- Industry News
- 12 January 2026
Automechanika Johannesburg offers a new digital format for the international audience with a focus on industry and trade. Under the motto 'Let's talk Business', this includes a series of panel discussions on current topics presented by key players in the industry, associations and other stakeholders.
Automechanika Johannesburg is proud to announce its involvement in the internationally renowned ‘Let’s Talk Business‘ series, which is in association with ABSA. The webinar series will focus on industry-related topics and will be aimed at facilitating conversations with key associations and stakeholders, both regionally and internationally.
Representatives from various sectors will share their input on topics and will address issues in the automotive aftermarket industry. The first discussion is on Safeguarding your Business and Mitigating Risk in times of Disruption, which will take place on 6 October 2021.
The following topics will include: guidelines for competition in the automotive aftermarket and the impact on the sector, electrical vehicle roadmap for South Africa and the potential role of gas in driving sustainability objectives, manufacturing and skills development, the future of Motor Industry in SA and the role of dealerships and upskilling the workforce to align with technological advancements in the Merseta sector.
“The rapid pace of change within the automotive value chain, both locally and internationally, advances in technology and a drive towards localisation and skills‘ development will ensure that there are plenty of key issues and topics to address in this webinar series,” says Thamsanqa Letsoala, Business Development Manager: Automotive Sector, ABSA. "There is no better time than now to facilitate these web talks with industry specialists who contribute immensely to the industry,” Letsoala adds.
“The ‘Let’s Talk Business‘ platform will help update the sector on key trends and changes; to drive business growth, prepare companies in the sector for the future as well as educating people and driving skills development,” says Joshua Low, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa.
“The series has been created to serve the needs of the Automechanika audience, and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” Low adds.
The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
Over thirty firms from across the automotive supply chain have joined forces to advance open-source software development, aiming to create next-generation vehicles while driving down costs, Germany’s leading industry association announced recently.
The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) says 2026 will be a year of progressive development through collaboration.
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The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
Over thirty firms from across the automotive supply chain have joined forces to advance open-source software development, aiming to create next-generation vehicles while driving down costs, Germany’s leading industry association announced recently.
The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) says 2026 will be a year of progressive development through collaboration.