SA’s automotive heartlands where vehicles are built and sold

Manufacturing footprint:

According to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council’s Trade Manual 2026, South Africa’s automotive manufacturing is concentrated in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and the Eastern Cape (EC). These provinces have evolved into specialised clusters supporting assembly plants, suppliers, logistics, and export facilities. Decades of investment in infrastructure, skilled labour, and supplier networks have created tightly integrated ecosystems that keep manufacturers globally competitive.

Gauteng:

Gauteng is both South Africa’s automotive and economic powerhouse, contributing nearly 34% of GDP and housing a quarter of the population. Despite being landlocked, it benefits from extensive road and rail links to domestic and export markets.

The province hosts three vehicle manufacturers (BMW, Ford and Nissan – Chery going forward) and most first- and second-tier suppliers, centred around Johannesburg and Pretoria. Rosslyn and Silverton are major hubs, supported by the Automotive Supplier Park and Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone. Strong logistics links to Durban Port and neighbouring African markets make Gauteng a prime destination for investment.

KwaZulu-Natal:

KwaZulu-Natal forms the second major cluster, anchored by Toyota South Africa Motors in Durban. The province’s strength lies in its coastal location and Durban Port, South Africa’s busiest automotive gateway. A large supplier base, the KwaZulu Natal Automotive Supplier Park, and the Durban Automotive Cluster reinforce its role. The N3 transport corridor connects Durban to Gauteng, ensuring efficient access to domestic and global markets.

Eastern Cape:

The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s leading export-oriented automotive region, with production centred in Gqeberha, Coega, and East London. Deep-water ports and export infrastructure, including the Coega Special Economic Zone and East London Industrial Development Zone, have attracted major investment.

Stellantis’ recent R3 billion facility at Coega highlights the province’s growing importance. In 2025, Eastern Cape manufacturers accounted for the largest share of light vehicle production and exports, underscoring its role as the country’s export hub. It is home to Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

Vehicle sales landscape:

While manufacturing is concentrated in three provinces, sales tell a different story. Based on eNaTIS data, South Africa recorded about 596 818 new vehicle sales in 2025.

• Gauteng dominated with 298 000 registrations, nearly half of the national total.
• KwaZulu Natal ranked second with 93 000 units (15–16% share)
• Western Cape followed with 69 000 registrations (11–12% share)
• Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga each recorded about 33 000 units
• Limpopo registered 27 000, while North West and the Free State each had around 21 000.
• The Northern Cape was the smallest market with 9 000 registrations.

Collectively, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, and the Western Cape accounted for two-thirds of all new vehicle registrations, reflecting their economic strength and population density.

Contrasting strengths:

The data highlights a striking contrast: the EC dominates production and exports but represents a relatively small share of domestic demand. Gauteng, by contrast, leads vehicle sales while also serving as a major manufacturing and supplier hub. KZN balances both roles, leveraging its port access and Toyota’s presence.

Outlook:

Together, these regional strengths form the backbone of South Africa’s automotive industry. Manufacturing hubs near ports, transport corridors, and supplier networks drive production and exports, while the country’s economic centres remain the primary destinations for new vehicle sales. With continued investment, these clusters are expected to remain central to South Africa’s industrial and economic growth.

Automotive clusters – key automotive features:

• Source: AIEC, naamsa/Lightstone Auto.