South Africa’s automotive industry pushed out 541,038 passenger vehicles in 2023, a 10.2% jump from the year before, while total exports hit 384,609 vehicles worth R200 billion. Behind that rise, the workforce picture is just as revealing with 110,500 direct jobs in 2023 and a broader automotive value chain reaching 400,000 jobs in 2022. The mix of stronger production, shifting demand, and still intense employment and investment pressures is exactly what the 2023 statistics help clarify.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa's automotive sector employed 110,500 direct workers in 2023
- Total jobs including indirect reached 400,000 in automotive value chain in 2022
- OEM employment was 36,000 in 2023, up 2% from prior year
- South Africa exported 384,609 vehicles in 2023, valued at R200 billion, up 14% from 2022
- Vehicle exports to the EU reached 120,000 units in 2023 under trade agreements
- Exports to the US via AGOA totaled 45,000 BMW X3 SUVs in 2023
- Automotive investments in South Africa totaled R28 billion from 2016-2023
- OEM capital expenditure was R4.5 billion in 2023 for plant upgrades
- Foreign direct investment in components reached R12 billion in 2022
- In 2023, South Africa's automotive industry produced 541,038 passenger vehicles, marking a 10.2% increase from 2022
- The total vehicle production in South Africa for 2022 reached 1,044,942 units including commercial vehicles, down 7.8% year-on-year
- OEMs in South Africa manufactured 92,700 commercial vehicles in 2023, a rise of 15.4% from the previous year
- New vehicle sales in South Africa totaled 579,707 units in 2023, up 12.5% YoY
- Passenger car sales reached 407,000 units in 2023
- Light commercial vehicle sales were 163,000 in 2022, down 5%
South Africa’s automotive industry grew in 2023 with rising exports, production, and OEM employment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Statistics23 stats
01
South Africa's automotive sector employed 110,500 direct workers in 2023
02
Total jobs including indirect reached 400,000 in automotive value chain in 2022
03
OEM employment was 36,000 in 2023, up 2% from prior year
04
Component sector employed 65,000 workers across 300 firms in 2022
05
Tyre manufacturing jobs totaled 18,000 in 2023
06
Logistics and dealerships added 200,000 jobs in 2022
07
Female workforce participation in auto industry was 28% in 2023
08
Youth employment under 35 years was 45% of total auto jobs in 2022
09
Skills development trained 15,000 workers via MERSET in 2023
10
Wage bill for automotive sector was R45 billion in 2022
11
Unemployment impact: auto sector retrenched 5,000 in 2020-2022 recovery phase
12
Black economic empowerment ownership at 28% in supplier firms in 2023
13
Artisan shortages numbered 2,500 in welding and machining in 2022
14
Average hourly wage in assembly lines was R85 in 2023
15
Contract workers made up 35% of OEM workforce in 2022
16
R&D employment grew to 4,500 engineers in 2023
17
Dealer network employs 120,000 across 4,500 outlets in 2022
18
Logistics jobs in auto supply chain: 50,000 drivers and warehouse staff in 2023
19
EV transition projected to create 10,000 new jobs by 2025
20
Training spend on workforce was R1.2 billion in 2022 via sector funds
21
Labour productivity per worker was 120 vehicles/year in 2023
22
Union membership covers 70% of auto workers via NUMSA in 2022
23
Injury rate in plants was 2.1 per 100 workers in 2023
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Employment in South Africa’s automotive sector is strengthening, with direct jobs rising to 110,500 in 2023 and the broader value chain supporting 400,000 roles when indirect employment is included.
02 · Category
Export Statistics25 stats
01
South Africa exported 384,609 vehicles in 2023, valued at R200 billion, up 14% from 2022
02
Vehicle exports to the EU reached 120,000 units in 2023 under trade agreements
03
Exports to the US via AGOA totaled 45,000 BMW X3 SUVs in 2023
04
Light commercial vehicle exports hit 156,000 units in 2022, mainly Hilux to Africa
05
Passenger car exports to Australia were 25,000 Polo models in 2023
06
Medium/heavy truck exports reached 3,200 units in 2023 worth R5 billion
07
Automotive component exports grew to R45 billion in 2022, 70% to OEMs abroad
08
Exports to SADC countries accounted for 35% of total vehicle exports in 2023
09
UK exports post-Brexit were 18,000 vehicles in 2023 from Mercedes and VW
10
African Continental Free Trade Area boosted exports by 20% to 45 countries in 2022
11
Component exports to Germany hit R12 billion in 2023, mainly wiring and seats
12
Bus exports totaled 1,200 units in 2022 to Kenya and Nigeria
13
Motorcycle exports from SA reached 15,000 units in 2023 to Europe
14
Forgings and castings exports were R8 billion in 2023, 60% to US/EU
15
Tyre exports totaled 8 million units in 2022, mainly to Africa
16
Catalytic converter exports valued at R3.5 billion in 2023
17
Leather seat exports reached 500,000 sets in 2022 for premium brands
18
Glass exports for vehicles were 1.2 million units in 2023
19
Battery exports started at 10,000 units in 2023 to neighboring countries
20
Plastic components exports hit R2 billion in 2022
21
Engine exports totaled 120,000 units in 2023, mainly to Brazil
22
AGOA exports contributed 12% to total SA exports in 2023 automotive sector
23
Export growth rate to Asia was 25% in 2022 for pickups
24
SA automotive export destinations include 80 countries with Africa at 28%
25
Value of vehicle exports per unit averaged R520,000 in 2023
Interpretation
Export Statistics Interpretation
In the Export Statistics picture for South Africa’s automotive industry, exports jumped to 384,609 vehicles in 2023 valued at R200 billion, showing strong growth of 14% from 2022 despite the varied regional mix of 120,000 vehicles to the EU and 45,000 BMW X3 SUVs to the US under AGOA.
03 · Category
Investment And Policy Statistics25 stats
01
Automotive investments in South Africa totaled R28 billion from 2016-2023
02
OEM capital expenditure was R4.5 billion in 2023 for plant upgrades
03
Foreign direct investment in components reached R12 billion in 2022
04
Automotive Investment Scheme disbursed R15 billion incentives since 2013
05
BMW invested R6 billion in EV production line at Rosslyn in 2023
06
Ford announced R5.2 billion for Silverton plant retooling in 2022
07
Mercedes-Benz allocated R2 billion for C-Class upgrades in East London 2023
08
Toyota committed R3 billion for Hilux EV prototypes by 2025
09
VW Group invested R1.8 billion in Kariega for Polo facelift in 2022
10
Isuzu pledged R800 million for D-Max production enhancement 2023
11
APDP policy extension to 2035 approved with R20 billion budget
12
Local content requirement raised to 60% under new policy 2023
13
Tax incentives for EV manufacturing at 150% deduction introduced 2022
14
SEIF incentive claimed R8 billion by suppliers in 2023
15
Black industrialists scheme funded 50 auto projects with R2.5 billion 2022
16
R&D tax allowance for auto sector at 150% of expenditure in 2023
17
Infrastructure grants for ports improved logistics by R1 billion in 2022
18
Skills levy fund invested R500 million in MERSET programs 2023
19
Green fund allocated R300 million for EV battery plants in 2023
20
Export marketing assistance totaled R150 million in 2022
21
Competitiveness fund disbursed R400 million for supplier upgrades 2023
22
Policy on scrap catalytic converters regulates 100,000 tons annually
23
AGOA renewal secured R50 billion export potential to 2025
24
EU-SA EPA boosted investments by 15% in 2022
25
Localization strategy targets 75% local content by 2035
Interpretation
Investment And Policy Statistics Interpretation
From 2016 to 2023 South Africa attracted R28 billion in automotive investment, and policy-linked support is clearly amplifying this momentum as the Automotive Investment Scheme disbursed R15 billion in incentives since 2013.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Statistics30 stats
01
In 2023, South Africa's automotive industry produced 541,038 passenger vehicles, marking a 10.2% increase from 2022
02
The total vehicle production in South Africa for 2022 reached 1,044,942 units including commercial vehicles, down 7.8% year-on-year
03
OEMs in South Africa manufactured 92,700 commercial vehicles in 2023, a rise of 15.4% from the previous year
04
BMW's Rosslyn plant produced 367,500 vehicles in 2023 under the AGOA framework
05
Ford's Silverton assembly plant output was 145,000 units of Ranger pickups in 2022
06
Mercedes-Benz South Africa's East London plant assembled 78,900 C-Class sedans in 2023
07
Toyota South Africa's Prospecton plant produced 220,000 Hilux and Fortuner models in 2023
08
Volkswagen Group's Kariega plant manufactured 120,500 Polo and Vivo vehicles in 2022
09
Isuzu Motors SA's Struandale plant output reached 35,000 D-Max bakkies in 2023
10
Nissan’s Rosslyn plant produced 55,000 Navara pickups before closure in 2023
11
South Africa's component manufacturing sector supplied 65% local content to OEMs in 2023
12
Engine production in South Africa totaled 450,000 units in 2022 from Ford and Isuzu plants
13
Pressed metal components output was 1.2 million tons in 2023 across 150 suppliers
14
Catalytic converter production reached 2.5 million units in 2022 by local firms like Anglo Platinum
15
Wiring harness production hit 18 million units in 2023, mainly for export
16
Seat manufacturing output was 1.8 million units in 2022 from suppliers like Adient SA
17
Glass production for vehicles totaled 4.5 million units in 2023 by NSG Pilkington
18
Tyre production in South Africa reached 25 million units in 2022, with 40% for automotive OEMs
19
Battery production for EVs started at 50,000 units in 2023 by First National Battery
20
Plastic injection molding for interiors produced 10 million parts in 2022
21
Forged components output was 300,000 tons in 2023 from B&M Long
22
Paint shop capacity utilization averaged 85% across OEMs in 2022
23
Robot density in SA automotive plants is 450 per 10,000 workers in 2023
24
Vehicle painting lines produced 500,000 units with 98% first-time quality in 2022
25
Assembly line speed averaged 60 vehicles per hour in major plants in 2023
26
Local content in passenger vehicles averaged 52% in 2023 per AIPF audits
27
CKD kit assembly output was 25,000 units in 2022 for African markets
28
EV component localization reached 20% in 2023 for upcoming models
29
Stamping press output capacity was 2.5 million panels in 2023
30
Quality certification rate for SA auto parts was 96% ISO/TS 16949 in 2022
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
Under the Production Statistics category, South Africa’s output is rebounding with passenger-vehicle production reaching 541,038 units in 2023, up 10.2% from 2022, while commercial-vehicle production also rose to 92,700 units for OEMs and key plants like BMW’s Rosslyn and Mercedes-Benz’s East London delivered 367,500 and 78,900 vehicles respectively.
05 · Category
Sales And Market Statistics23 stats
01
New vehicle sales in South Africa totaled 579,707 units in 2023, up 12.5% YoY
02
Passenger car sales reached 407,000 units in 2023
03
Light commercial vehicle sales were 163,000 in 2022, down 5%
04
Market share of Toyota was 18.5% in 2023 SA new car sales
05
SUV segment grew to 45% of passenger sales in 2023
06
Used car market size was 3.5 million transactions in 2022
07
EV sales hit 3,200 units in 2023, up 300% from 2022
08
Bakkie sales dominated LDV with 70% share in 2023
09
Average new car price rose to R450,000 in 2023
10
Dealer sales volume per outlet averaged 150 units/month in 2022
11
Import penetration rate was 65% for passenger vehicles in 2023
12
Fleet sales accounted for 25% of total new vehicle sales in 2022
13
Private buyer sales were 65% of market in 2023
14
Motorcycle sales reached 25,000 units in 2023
15
Heavy truck sales totaled 4,500 units in 2022
16
Online sales platform transactions grew 40% to 50,000 in 2023
17
Credit sales financed 85% of new vehicles in 2022
18
Waiting period for popular models averaged 3 months in 2023
19
Market concentration: top 5 brands hold 55% share in 2023
20
Diesel vehicle sales share was 42% in LDV segment 2022
21
Luxury segment sales grew 15% to 12,000 units in 2023
22
Rental car fleet additions were 20,000 vehicles in 2022
23
Total market value of new car sales was R260 billion in 2023
Interpretation
Sales And Market Statistics Interpretation
South Africa’s sales and market picture strengthened in 2023 with new vehicle volumes reaching 579,707 units and a 12.5% year over year rise, while passenger car demand also shifted toward SUVs that made up 45% of passenger sales.
report visual · Key figures
South Africa Automotive: Jobs at a Glance (Direct vs Indirect)
The auto industry supports both direct employment and a larger indirect job footprint across the automotive value chain.
110,500
South Africa's automotive sector employed 110,500 direct workers in 2023
400,000
Total jobs including indirect reached 400,000 in automotive value chain in 2022
2%
OEM employment was 36,000 in 2023, up 2% from prior year
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). South Africa Automotive Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-africa-automotive-industry-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "South Africa Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-africa-automotive-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "South Africa Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-africa-automotive-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
60 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level