Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition John Steenhuisen called on Tuesday, 27 October, for more of South Africa’s replacement car parts to be made locally, the department said. South Africa imported about R107.5 billion of such parts in 2025.
Steenhuisen spoke at the Automechanika Johannesburg 2026 CEO Breakfast at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The department said the automotive aftermarket, which covers parts, repair and servicing, traded about R933 billion in 2025 and contributed R202.6 billion to GDP.
According to the statement, the aftermarket accounts for more than 310,000 jobs, or about 70% of all automotive employment. It is spread over 23,000-plus firms, mostly small and medium-sized.
The deputy minister linked the import figure to the age of the national fleet. South Africa has about 13 million vehicles on its roads, averaging almost 11 years old, and 76% are outside their warranty periods. Older cars need more replacement parts, which he described as a chance to expand domestic manufacturing.
“Every additional percentage point of localisation in replacement parts represents jobs created, industrial capability strengthened, foreign exchange retained, and value added within South Africa,” Steenhuisen said.
Source: Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Chart: Rand Desk
He said the review of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP2) should look at the wider value chain and not only at vehicle assembly. The statement did not say when the review will finish or what it may change.
Steenhuisen also named the African Continental Free Trade Area as a market for South African replacement parts, remanufactured components and specialised automotive services. He said the country has the engineering expertise and distribution networks to become an aftermarket hub for Africa.
On skills, he said South Africa has about 31% fewer qualified automotive artisans than in 2009, even though apprenticeship numbers are rising. He asked government, industry and training institutions to work together on emerging technologies, including electric vehicles and advanced diagnostics.
Put side by side, the department’s figures show the scale of the import line. Parts imports of R107.5 billion equal about 11.5% of the sector’s R933 billion in trade, and about 53% of its R202.6 billion contribution to GDP. The two measures are different things, trade turnover against value added, so the ratios show size only and do not mean 11.5% of the sector’s sales are imported parts.
The call fits a wider debate on trade policy. Government raised the import duty on newsprint this month, and any move to protect or support local parts makers would be a similar choice between local jobs and the price paid by buyers. The statement proposed no duty or incentive.
For drivers, fuel is the other running cost in play. The fuel levy cut announced in the medium-term budget takes effect on 4 November.
He also raised road safety, saying road crashes cost the country almost R200 billion in 2025, about 2.8% of GDP.
“Localisation must extend beyond the factory gate,” Steenhuisen said. “It must include the businesses that keep South Africans moving every day.”
He said South Africa must move from investment announcements to practical implementation. The statement gave no date for a decision on the APDP2 review.
