The Motor Vehicle Industry in South Africa 2023

Challenges

Counterfeit vehicles and parts is a growing concern. Decreasing sales due to the tighter economic environment. Delays in sourcing some vehicle parts and components continue, despite some improvements in semiconductors supply. High import duties on EVs. Increasing input costs. Lack of electricity. Local logistics challenges at ports and rail are lowering the competitiveness of local vehicle manufacturing. Low local EV production and low EV adoption may lead to South Africa failing to take advantage of the growing EV market. Low productivity. No incentives for production of EVs. Political unrest and strikes. Shortage of skills.

Introduction

South African imports of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles grew strongly in 2022. Vehicle exports increased at a lower rate and below the units exported in 2019. Vehicle manufacturing sales grew strongly. Weak consumer confidence and high interest rates have reduced demand for new vehicles, while manufacturers still face some supply challenges for key components, despite the supply of semiconductors improving somewhat in recent months. The industry is concerned over the delay by the government in finalising an electric vehicle policy.

Opportunities

Import of cheap vehicles. Increased exports to the rest of Africa. Production of batteries for EVs or supply of key raw materials for battery production. Supply of local inputs by black component suppliers.

Outlook

The outlook for the motor vehicle sector remains uncertain, as domestic sales are likely to remain muted as low consumer confidence and high interest rates affect demand. Estimates are that domestic and export sales growth will slow in 2023. Industry players have warned that exports could be affected if the country does not improve political governance and remove taxes that make domestic cars too expensive for most South Africans to buy. There is also some concern that South Africa may lose export share if it fails to shift to electric vehicle production soon enough.

Report Coverage

This report focuses on the motor vehicle industry, which incorporates the manufacture, distribution, servicing and maintenance of motor vehicles and the manufacture of components. It contains information on the vehicle population, the size and state of manufacturing, retail and aftermarket, manufacture market share, production statistics, investment by manufacturers, trade, electric vehicles, car prices, corporate actions and influencing factors such as environmental issues, innovation, government support and competition. There are profiles of 102 companies including the major manufacturers such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford and BMW, dealerships including CFAO, Motus and Honda, and truck and bus companies such as Daimler Truck, FAW and Scania.

Trends

Demand for new vehicles is being reduced by low consumer confidence and high interest rates. EV sales are small but growing. Local consumers are buying cheaper, smaller cars. Local vehicle manufacturers are planning to transition to manufacturing EVs. Manufacturers are developing vehicles with more software features. The share of used cars sales is growing.