The US is SA’s third-largest vacation spot for automotive exports, with R35bn value of automobiles shipped in 2024 — representing 6.5% of complete car exports.
The proposed 25% tariff improve will have an effect on producers in SA, together with BMW, Ford, Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, which produce automobiles for international markets, together with the US.
Talking on the Gauteng Funding Convention in Johannesburg, Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa warned the tariffs might have critical penalties for jobs and funding in SA’s automotive sector.
“The US choice to impose these tariffs undermines current commerce agreements and the rules of a good, rules-based buying and selling system. The SA auto business contributes considerably to financial growth, employment and industrialisation, and these tariffs might undermine our progress,” Mabasa mentioned.
