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Gauteng’s Presence at Auto Week Promotes Partnerships, Economic Growth

All eyes were on South Africa Auto Week, focusing on the future of the automotive industry with partners and stakeholders from across the country and beyond. The Auto Week is primarily a business-to-business event attended by automotive industry leaders interested in the development and growth of the sector.

As part of October Transport Month activities, the Gauteng Provincial Government co-sponsored the event through the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) hosted by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), the Automotive Business Council, and other headline partners at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 9th to 13th October 2023. This year’s Auto Week took place under the theme “Reimagining The Future Together – Driving an Industry of the Future, today.”

The AIDC is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED). It was established as a support centre to enhance global competitiveness in the local automotive industry and to strengthen the province’s position as the preferred automotive industry destination.

Naamsa, a respected thought leader and partner for the industry, also serves as the voice and trusted ambassador for the local automotive sector.

In his address, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted the profound impact of the automotive sector on the provincial economy and stressed the importance of collaboration and partnerships. He urged industry stakeholders to work with the Provincial Government to combat crime and lawlessness related to motor vehicles.

The Premier mentioned plans, at an advanced stage, to revamp the vehicle registration system by year-end, including the introduction of new secure, tamper-proof registration plates. He emphasized the role of motor vehicles in violent crime, both as stolen and getaway cars, underlining the need for legislative improvements in vehicle registration.

“Eighty percent of criminal activities involve vehicles, so the province must focus on safeguarding our vehicles against crime,” Premier Lesufi urged industry leaders. In his remarks, Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa elaborated on the significance of SA Auto Week. He indicated that the event brings together all industry stakeholders to reflect on achievements, contemplate the future, showcase cutting-edge technologies, and discuss current policy considerations.

“It also provides a platform to discuss and address the challenges posed by the global and local economy to ensure that the right decisions are made to support South Africa’s growth ambitions,” he added. The event offered a conferencing experience with panel discussions, networking sessions, and an industry trade fair for potential industry beneficiaries to meet component suppliers and local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

This large gathering also included entrepreneurs, different brand representatives, and executives with business-oriented goals. Meanwhile, addressing the conference on its last day, Deputy President Paul Mashatile underlined the Government’s active participation in the automotive calendar as sending a clear message to potential investors that South Africa is open for business. He added that this demonstrates the Government’s unwavering support for the automotive industry, showing its commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector and creating jobs.

The country’s automotive industry is recognized as the largest manufacturing sector, contributing approximately 4.9% to the annual GDP in the previous year. Panel discussions included topics ranging from South Africa’s transition to new energy vehicles to intermodal connectivity, innovation inclusivity, and transport policy, among others.

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