Johannesburg - SA's automotive industry is on a
"moderate expansion path" after being severely affected by the 2008/9
recession, said Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.
Davies officially launched the Johannesburg International
Motor Show on Monday night.
The show aims to build the international profile of the SA
motor industry and stimulate exports and technological advances.
Davies said he was "impressed" with the quality of
products on show, especially those manufactured in the country, and saw the
industry now recovering from the recession.
The automotive industry makes up the largest part of the
manufacturing sector, contributing 6% to gross domestic product and making up
12% of local exports.
Long-term policy certainty was one of the reasons behind
what the minister referred to as the success of SA's automotive industry.
Government, he said, anticipated the completion of work on the APDP "within a short space of time". The programme incentivises industry players to increase production as well as employment.
The industry has set a target to produce 1.2 million
vehicles per annum by 2020. "It's quite an ambitious target that we need
to achieve," Davies said.
Organisers said they hoped the show would create additional demand locally.