Minister Patel’s plans for automotive industry
12 August 2019
New technologies and the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement on the auto sector formed part of discussions between Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel and industry top brass. The Minister met industry reps recently as part of efforts to stimulate job creation and deepen dialogue between government and the auto sector. The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) on Sunday said the business delegation to the meeting consisted of the Chief Executive Officers of local vehicle manufacturers and the leadership of their association, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). Patel stated government's commitment to working in partnership with the industry in the implementation of the Automotive Masterplan 2035. The masterplan's objective is to increase local content sharply from 39% to 60%, double annual car-production to 1.4 million units, expand employment opportunities to 224 000 people and to enhance the local industry's competitiveness.