The South African automotive industry is deeply entrenched in international supply chains. Export-driven growth continues to benefit the automotive industry and spurs activity in downstream sectors.
While exports and export-led growth offer numerous advantages, they are not without challenges. Dependence on external demand, vulnerability to global market economic fluctuations and trade barriers are potential downsides.
Thus, for the South African automotive industry, a balanced economic strategy that includes domestic market development remains essential, particularly in the current context of the inevitable transition to new-energy vehicles.
The various national and international annual automotive events bring together leading manufacturers, suppliers, OE and aftermarket components, equipment, new innovations, the latest models and services under one roof, along with conferences and panel discussions.
Automotive events and exhibitions are valuable for the domestic automotive industry in many ways. In addition to unlocking business opportunities, the showcasing of products, the launching of new products and connecting with customers, they also provide an essential platform for thought leadership round tables allowing leaders from government, business and labour to deliberate, discuss and share knowledge of and insights into relevant topics.
Must-attend national and international events on the calendar of the domestic automotive community in 2025 include the following:
South Africa:
International:
UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA) hosted its 2025 Annual Dealer Conference (ADC) where key stakeholders from across the dealer network and high-performing dealerships that delivered exceptional business results in 2024 were honoured.
JLR has hired 50 specialists to maximise the resilience of new electric-vehicle supply chains and uphold ethical standards, amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty as it transforms to deliver its next generation of pure electric models across all its brands by 2030.
The first, all-EV courier company, has charged its batteries and is ready for business, says Alex Staniland owner of Xpress, with an eye on innovation and gaps in the market.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz
Daimler Truck AG ("Daimler Truck"), Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation ("Mitsubishi Fuso"), Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota") and Hino Motors Ltd ("Hino") entered into definitive agreements for the integration of Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino.
The illegal dumping of tyres by at least four countries from the Far East on the South African market, is a serious contributing factor that local tyre manufacturers have to deal with.
Goodyear is set to close its tyre manufacturing plant in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, and it could affect as many as 900 jobs at the facility, not to mention the knock-on effect it would have on the economy of the Eastern Cape, which is already suffering from high unemployment.
