The automotive statistics tell a story

Although it’s not one of the largest manufacturers or importers of vehicles in the world, the industry does play a significant role in the worldwide chain not to mention that it is one of the key pillars of the South African economy, growing in stature and as a contributor to the country’s GDP over the years.

During its early years, naamsa’s achievements laid the groundwork for the growth and regulation of the automobile sector in the country, and the organisation is celebration its 90^th birthday this year.

Investment by the seven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), with technology embedded

investment, amounted to R7.3 billion in 2024. The OEMs are Toyota, Volkswagen, Isuzu, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Nissan.

Add to this the vehicle importers’ investment in infrastructure like plants for semi-knocked down kits, part warehouses, dealerships, training facilities and other projects and the role of the automotive industry in South Africa’s economy is crucial.

This table provides some interesting statistics as to the magnitude of the South African automotive industry and the change between 2023 and 2024 and takes note of the declining numbers for the local sales and exports last year compared to 2023.

Indicator	2023	2024
Broader automotive industry contribution to GDP	5.3%	5.2%
Vehicle and component production as % of South Africa’s manufacturing output	21.9%	22.6%
Average monthly employment by vehicle manufacturers	33 509	33 154
Automotive component sector employment	82 560	81 860
Capital expenditure – vehicle manufacturers	R5.2 billion	R7.3 billion
Capital expenditure – component sector	R4.2 billion	R2.95 billion
Total South African new-vehicle sales	531 552 units	515 850 units
Total South African vehicle production	632 362 units	599 754 units
South Africa’s vehicle production as % of Africa’s vehicle production	54.1%	50.9%
South Africa’s global vehicle production ranking	22nd	21st
South Africa’s global vehicle production market share	0.67%	0.65%
Vehicle ownership ratio per 1 000 persons	182	180
Vehicle parc (number of registered vehicles)	13.13 million	13.36 million
Total automotive export revenue	R270.8 billion	R268.8 billion
Automotive export revenue as % of total South African export revenue	14.7%	14.7%
Number of export destinations	148	155
Number of export destinations with export values more than doubling year-on-year	29	39
Top automotive export destination in Rand-value terms	Germany	Germany
Total South African vehicle exports	399 809 units	390 844 units
Value of vehicle exports	R203.9 billion	R205.4 billion
Top vehicle export destination in volume terms	Germany	Germany
Value of automotive component exports	R66.9 billion	R63.4 billion
Top automotive component export category in Rand-value terms	Catalytic converters	Catalytic converters
Top automotive trading partner (imports and exports) in Rand-value terms	Germany	Germany
Top automotive trading region (imports and exports) in Rand-value terms	EU	EU
Top country of origin for total automotive imports in Rand-value terms	Germany	Germany
Top country of origin for vehicle imports	India	India