BMW’s R13bn SA hybrid plant in Tshwane shows auto sector’s resilience – Ramaphosa

By Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa has a well-established auto manufacturing industry that is more than a century old. It has proven to be one of the most resilient sectors of our economy. 

Since the first assembly plants were established in the Eastern Cape in the 1920s, the auto industry has grown to become the largest manufacturing sector in the country. South Africa’s role in global vehicle manufacturing has expanded and grown. 

Auto companies like Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have plants here in our country that produce vehicles for the local market and for export to many other countries in the world. 

 A number of these companies continue to expand their investments in our country. The sector currently supports more than 115,000 direct manufacturing jobs and more than 500,000 across the value chain. It contributes approximately 5.3% to GDP. 

However, the industry is under growing pressure. The introduction