Strong demand drives SA to decade-high vehicle sales
The South African motor industry continues to defy expectations by posting another month of exceptional growth.
- Industry News
- 4 November 2025
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA), part of global tyre and rubber company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, has invested more than R2.1 billion in a “state-of-the-art”, purpose-built 180 000 m2 tyre manufacturing facility.
The facility includes a truck, bus and radial factory, as well as an upgraded passenger car, sports-utility vehicle and light truck tyre manufacturing component.
The new factory in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, aims to increase manufacturing output to meet any arising needs in the province and to improve its products and grow its market share across its Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo brands.
“Over the next few months and years, we aim to ramp up local production and investment and increase our impact on creating employment in South Africa. We recently agreed to a phased investment over the next five years with our shareholders, Sumitomo Rubber Industries.
“The plan entails investing in machinery and systems that will ensure that we have capability locally to meet the requirements of original-equipment manufacturers, gain efficiencies to better serve the local market and create a better and safer experience for motorists on the road,” said SRSA CEO, Lubin Ozoux.
The South African motor industry continues to defy expectations by posting another month of exceptional growth.
According to a Reuters report, Renault is engaged in active discussions with several automobile manufacturers, including China's Chery, as the French company explores opportunities for collaborative production and distribution agreements.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market continued its upward trajectory in October 2025, supported by easing inflation, a firmer rand, continued signs of improving consumer sentiment and demand recovery in key export markets.
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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
The South African motor industry continues to defy expectations by posting another month of exceptional growth.
According to a Reuters report, Renault is engaged in active discussions with several automobile manufacturers, including China's Chery, as the French company explores opportunities for collaborative production and distribution agreements.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market continued its upward trajectory in October 2025, supported by easing inflation, a firmer rand, continued signs of improving consumer sentiment and demand recovery in key export markets.