Quarterly Review of Business Conditions: New Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Industry 4th Quarter 2023
23 February 2024 | From Arrive Alive

Herewith is a copy of NAAMSA’s quarterly review of business conditions for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry, during the fourth quarter of 2023, as submitted to the Director-General, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Industry vehicle sales, export, and import statistics for 2015 through 2023, together with current projections for 2024 and 2025, are reflected in the attachment to the submission.
KEY FEATURES: FOURTH QUARTER 2023
- Aggregate new vehicle sales during the fourth quarter of 2023 recorded a decline of 5,4% compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022 and a decline of 3,5% compared to the third quarter of 2023;
- New energy vehicle [NEV] sales by 19 industry brands increased by 59,9% from 1,582 units in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 2,529 units in the fourth quarter of 2023;
- Fourth quarter 2023 aggregate industry employment as of 31st December 2023 totalled 33,379 reflecting a decline of 241 jobs compared to the 33,620 industry headcount as of the end of September 2023;
- Average industry capacity utilisation levels during the fourth quarter of 2023 reflected the supply chain disruptions caused by port congestion and container backlogs on vehicle production while the ongoing global semiconductor shortage impacted OEMs differently.
- Aggregate capital expenditure by the major light vehicle manufacturers in 2023 amounted to R5,2 billion, linked to new generation model investments and associated model cycles;
- Vehicle exports increased by a sound 24,9% from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023, contributing to the record 399,594 units exported in 2023;
- The NAAMSA CEOs Confidence Index, as an in-house leading business confidence indicator of current and future developments in the domestic automotive industry, reflects the sentiment expressed by the NAAMSA CEOs for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 as well as automotive business conditions and the country’s economy in general for the next 6 months.
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
A 19-year-old male was killed by a train in Frasers - KZN.
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were called out to the scene between Tongaat and Ballito - KZN at approximately 13:39.
On arrival, Reaction Officers found the male lying between the North and South bound train lines. He sustained
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
A devastating crash occurred earlier today on the R102 between Marshall Drive and Phoenix Highway, resulting in one fatality and one injury.
KZNVIP Ambulance Services responded promptly to multiple calls for assistance from passing motorists.
Upon arrival, medics and response units found three
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
The three suspects killed in the shootout are linked to several murders and attempted murders, including those of police officers.
The SAPS Inanda Task Team and Metro Police Special Operations Directorate members were following up on information about this group, which led them to a house on this
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life following a horrific accident involving a minibus taxi and a bakkie on the R40 road, near Klaserie, Maruleng Municipality, Mopani District.
The accident, which occurred early this morning, resulted
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
The SAPS are investigating a culpable homicide case following an accident involving a SANDF truck which overturned on the R31 road between Koopmansfontein and Delportshoop.
Preliminary information indicates that the accident occurred Friday afternoon, 07 February 2025. The truck was traveling with
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
A horrific accident on the R40 road near Kapama in Hoedspruit left multiple people dead after a bakkie and a minibus taxi collided head-on and caught fire on Saturday morning.
The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed.
Limpopo Traffic Updates
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service responded to a serious collision on the N2 near Empangeni, this morning.
Upon arrival emergency services discovered that a vehicle had lost control and overturned multiple times.
Paramedics quickly assessed the scene and rendered immediate medical attention to
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service responded to a serious collision on the R102, yesterday afternoon.
Upon arrival emergency services discovered that two vehicles had been involved in a head on collision.
Paramedics quickly assessed the scene and rendered immediate medical attention to stabilize
08 Feb 2025 | From Arrive Alive
More gang warfare broke out earlier this afternoon in Lotus River, leaving at least 3 persons shot, with 2 persons taken to hospital and another declared deceased.
The first shooting occurred in Dove Rd, and while services responded to the scene, in what seems as an action in retaliation, multiple