Despite potential headwinds, South Africa’s automotive industry remains committed to long-term growth and resilience.
As the Automotive Business Council (naamsa) celebrates its 90th anniversary, this milestone highlights the industry’s remarkable adaptability. The pace of change in the next decade is expected to surpass anything witnessed in the past nine decades, driven by economic shifts, rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer trends.
The post-pandemic recovery in vehicle sales affirms the sector’s ability to weather economic cycles, with agility playing a key role in sustaining future growth, naamsa says during its comment on the March new-vehicle sales figures that were just released and show some positive trends.
Reinforcing its commitment to industry transformation and strategic collaboration, naamsa announced that the 2025 SA Auto Week [SAAW] would be hosted in the Eastern Cape from 1 to 3 October 2025 under the theme, “Reimagining the Future, TOGETHER: Cultivating Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity”.
SAAW 2025 aims to mobilise new investments into the auto sector, fostering growth and reindustrialising South Africa’s manufacturing base.
As South Africa’s premier automotive conference, SAAW 2025 will convene key stakeholders – including auto professionals, global vehicle OEMs, component manufacturers, regulators, policymakers, investors, business and political leaders, as well as decision-makers from around the world – to drive innovation, strengthen global partnerships and shape the future of the industry in an evolving economic landscape, naamsa states.
The Kia Carens nameplate makes its return to South Africa, this time as a seven‑seater designed with families in mind. It combines Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) styling with Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) practicality, offering space, comfort and efficiency, Kia says.
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
April 2026 marked a turning point in South Africa’s economic landscape, as global energy markets were jolted by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council.
