Overview

The automotive industry adds real value every day – providing mobility, facilitating trade, creating sustainable jobs, moving people, goods and services, serving communities and creating prosperity for South Africa's people. Motus' socio-economic objectives, particularly in terms of fiscal contribution, people development and community-based projects are designed to support the transformation of South Africa's automotive industry.

The automotive industry invests billions of Rands every year in South Africa's economy and based on its strong multiplier effect represents about 457 000 highly skilled, direct jobs in the formal sector. The automotive industry contributes 4,3% to gross domestic product (GDP), with the retailing segment accounting for around 1,9%1.

Effective economic inclusion and transformation can only be achieved with collaboration between the South African government, society and the private sector. We support the Automotive Aftermarket Guidelines, which aim to expand the inclusion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owned by black individuals in the automotive aftermarket value chain as well as increase local production volumes and create jobs. As small businesses play a critical role in creating desperately needed jobs, it is government's intention to grow local production and manufacturing, and open big business supply chains to SMEs.

South Africa's automotive industry bodies promote the sector's interests and ensure a competitive yet collaborative industry. Our industry body memberships enable us to share our expertise and experience to support broader national strategies, and progress the transformation of our industry and enrich its leadership. They also ensure that our views are considered and incorporated in industry feedback, provide us with insight to the perspectives of other industry leaders and allow us to identify opportunities to drive our own transformation initiatives and contribution to society at large, over and above our community initiatives The nature of these engagements is open, transparent and pro-competitive.

Our brands are supplied by multi-national organisations with access to global supply chains and who are required to meet global safety, production and corporate identity standards. This contributes to a capital intensive automotive industry where cost efficiencies can only be realised through scaling and working across brands. These factors could constrain the ability of new entrants to compete in the market. To drive transformation, we endeavour to leverage our scale and influence across brands to create niche opportunities for new entrants.

1 naamsa I The Automotive Business Council (May 2022).

Subscriptions (Group)

R3,4 million paid for subscriptions in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and industry bodies
(2021: R3,1 million)

Key memberships (South Africa)

naamsa I The Automotive Business Council (naamsa)

Advocates for common interest issues, policies and regulations to sustain and grow the local automobile industry.

Motus participation

Officer role: Vice President Retailing OEMs

We participate in the supply chain, electric vehicle, Automotive Production and Development Programme, broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE), transformation and COVID-19 committees, among others.

Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) and its constituent – the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)

Represents the interests of business persons who own, operate and manage new passenger and commercial vehicle dealerships and used vehicle outlets.

Motus participation

Officer role: executive committee member of NADA

We participate in RMI's compliance committee, and NADA's management, national executive, Automotive Aftermarket Guidelines, transformation, and second hand goods committees, and the retailers and labour forums, among others.

Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA)

Represents South Africa's combined vehicle rental, leasing and fleet management industries as well as the interests of business vehicle owners and the millions of people who rent a vehicle each year.

Motus participation

Officer role: Vice President of the National Executive Council

We participate in the legal and Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) committees.

Other forums that we participate in include Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Business Leadership South Africa, the Banking Association South Africa (BASA), Financial Intermediaries Association of South Africa, Direct Marketing Association of Southern Africa, National Business Initiative, Institute of Risk Managers South Africa, and Arrive Alive South Africa. We also participate in various working groups related to upcoming regulatory changes and committees that interact with regulators such as the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Financial Intelligence Centre ( see above).