MyPE

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Let’s put the size of SA’s Automotive Market in Persepective

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Figures from NAAMSA (The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa) show that the 2018 domestic production of motor vehicles in South Africa increased from 601 178 vehicles produced in 2017 to about 610 000 vehicles in 2018. NAAMS predicts improvement in industry vehicle production of about 8.0% for 2019 to reach about 657 500 units.

In January 2019 Volkswagen brand delivered 515 500 vehicles to customers worldwide, a drop of 3.4 percent compared with the same month in 2018.

Even more frightening is that the reported figures of vehicles sold by Volkswagen in Africa are not even a blip on the sale charts.

Now those of us who are of a certain age will remember the time when large motor manufacturers ‘disinvested’ from South Africa, plunging Africa’s Little Detroit (Port Elizabeth) into a major depression, putting thousands of people out of jobs and closing many businesses.

To this day there are still people who refuse to buy certain brands based on the hardship of disinvestment at the time.

Do the math and work out how many people you know who benefit from the automotive industry in Port Elizabeth and who will suffer if another ‘disinvestment’ happens.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.