Automotive growth challenges logistics players

Ed Richardson
SOUTH AFRICA should cement its position as an import niche player in the automotive industry, producing over 360 000 cars and 127 000 light commercials for the domestic and international markets by 2006, says motor industry analyst Colin Haynes.
This trend will see the need for sophisticated logistics lines to support production in Durban, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Haynes says Toyota and Eastern Cape-based Volkswagen Africa should be producing over 100 000 units a year in their South African plants.
BMW and the Eastern Cape's DaimlerChrysler will be ranked third on about 50 000 vehicles a year. ÒBut Ford could overtake them both with export contracts for Land Rovers and Volvos, as well as soaring exports of 300 000 engines a year or more from Port Elizabeth to India, China and other territories," he says.
Opportunities as well as threats facing the South African motor industry will be discussed during The Autocluster Africa 2001 motor industry conference and exhibition in Port Elizabeth on August 27 and 28.
More details are available on www.autocluster.com