A Driving force in South Africa’s automotive aftermarket
The Retail Motor Industry Organisation is a proactive, relevant, retail and associated motor industry organisation recognised
as the leading voice in South Africa‘s automotive after market. It serves the daily needs of its members and plays a key role
in enabling motor traders to deliver a superior service to motoring consumers. Eight Associations fall proudly under the RMI
umbrella. Inter-associational business-to-business trading is encouraged in the interests of all stakeholders.
HeAD OFFICe www.rmi.org.za
Tel: +27 11 886 6300 | Surrey Square Office Park, 330 Surrey Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194, Gauteng, P. O. Box 2940, Randburg, 2125
ReGIOnAL OFFICeS
Central: Randburg tel: +27 11 886 6300 | KwaZulu-Natal: Durban tel: +27 31 266 7031 | Eastern Cape/Border: Port Elizabeth tel: +27 41 364 0070 |
Western Cape: Cape Town tel: +27 21 939 9440 | Free State / Northern Cape: Bloemfontein tel: +27 51 430 3294
SAPRA – South African Petroleum
Retailers’ Association
SAPRA represents the interests of all petroleum retailers in
South Africa. Its aim is to improve growth and profitability
for the investor. SAPRA plays an important role in tracking
global and local trends that affect sustainability and help
retailers remain relevant in an ever-changing business
environment. Retailers voice concerns through one of
the seven regional chairs strategically located around
the country, into a National Executive Committee (NEC),
where strategy and solutions are developed. This bottom
up approach is a fundamental SAPRA imperative.
SAMBRA – South African Motor Body
Repairers’ Association
SAMBRA is the pre-eminent motor body repair association in
South Africa representing the majority of accredited motor body
repairers. SAMBRA’s grading system, which was introduced over
30 years ago, regulates repairer standards in the motor body repair
industry in South Africa and instils confidence in consumers and
industry stakeholders alike. The Association works in close collab-
oration with various key industry stakeholders including Insurers,
Original Equipment Suppliers, paint and equipment suppliers, the
labour department and trade unions, as well as related SETAs – to
maintain industry sustainability and development. It ensures the
provision of technical and business management skills training in
order for members to meet the demands of the industry.
TePA – Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association
TEPA represents tyre dealers; garage/workshop equipment and
tool importers and distributors; auto part wholesalers, retailers
and independent operators in the aftermarket motor parts
industry as well as manufacturers and importers of parts for
the automotive aftermarket. The members of TEPA represent,
promote, sell and endorse the use of legitimate, bona fide,
quality branded products. TEPA members also export parts,
equipment and components into Africa and other countries in
the world. TEPA encourages at all times inter-associational RMI
business-to-business trading, intent on strengthening the RMI
Organisation as a whole. TEPA is seen as the mark of integrity
and fair trade for the consumer, the business operator and the
government. The Association is the legitimate voice of the tyre,
equipment, and parts industry in South Africa and is positioned
as an intermediary between government, business, and the
consumer.
VTA – Vehicle Testing Association
The VTA represents private vehicle testing stations that are
committed to operating within the law in accordance with the
Road Traffic Act and the relevant SANS standards. In this highly
regulated environment, the association represents the interests
of its members at government level working groups and is
committed to enhancing the reputation of the industry in all the
spheres.
ARA – Automotive Remanufacturers’ Association
ARA represents the remanufacturing trade sector. This includes
component remanufacturers involved in safety-critical compo-
nents, inclusive of but not limited to vehicle cooling, turbocharg-
er and braking systems; automotive engineers who machine and
remanufacture engine components by way of expert engineer-
ing – ultimately rebuilding engines to its original specifications;
and specialists in the repair, servicing and remanufacturing of
diesel fuel injection systems fitted to diesel engines in earth mov-
ing equipment, highway trucks, stationary engines and passen-
ger vehicles. ARA promotes the responsible reuse of remanufac-
tured engine components for a ‘greener’ environment (carbon
footprint). Its members are dedicated to providing consumers
with only the best of advice, finest service delivery, and highest
quality workmanship.
nADA – National Automobile Dealers’ Association
NADA represents the interests of business people who own or
operate new motor vehicle and motorcycle franchise dealerships
and qualifying used motor vehicle and motorcycle outlets. NADA
is committed to the image enhancement of the retail motor busi-
ness, facilitating the interface between dealers and OEMs; import-
ers and distributors; building relationships between dealers and
customers and bringing relevant industry issues to the attention of
government. NADA is the respected voice on all matters relating to
motor vehicle and motorcycle dealer business.
MIWA – Motor Industry Workshop Association
MIWA, the Independent Workshop Association, representing
general repairs, auto electrical; air conditioning; accessories and
fitment as well as transmission and driveline workshops strives
to remain ahead of the ever-changing technologies and best
practices of the aftermarket motor industry. MIWA encourages
members to support inter-associational, business-to-business
trading with a view to strengthen the RMI. MIWA remains the
leading resource for members ensuring continued relevance and
sustainability.
SAVABA – South African Vehicle and
Bodybuilders’ Association
SAVABA members are professional, certified and regulated
vehicle body builders in South Africa who manufacture
commercial vehicle body applications (tanker, coal, refrigerated
trucks and trailers) and bus bodies (commuter and tourist
type). Members manufacture using the latest equipment and
highly trained staff to ensure strict compliance with NRCS
regulations; SABS standards and all other legal specifications
and requirements.
CONSTITUENT ASSOCIATIONS
www.automobil.co.za
June 2023
neWS
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n an effort to offer personalised and profession-
al services to corporate clients, Volkswagen has
transformed 15 dealerships countrywide into
Corporate Business Centres.
“Corporate sales are the third best-selling ave-
nue for Volkswagen vehicles in South Africa. Whilst
Polo Vivo is the preferred solution for corporate
customers, the T SUV model range has also been
well received in the market and accounted for over
20% of corporate sales last year,” said Steffen Knapp,
Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car brand.
15 Volkswagen dealerships countrywide have
thus been transformed into Corporate Busi-
ness Centres. Each of the dealerships now has
a certified and dedicated Service Manager and
Service Advisor as well as an express service for
corporate clients, a branded demo vehicle and an
exclusive customer lounge.
“The Volkswagen Sales team will be supporting
each of the Corporate Business Centres dealerships
with dedicated corporate fleet support, a Key Ac-
counts Manager for management consulting, gap
analysis and reporting as well as customer value
proposition,” added Knapp.
Eight dealerships in Gauteng, three in Kwa-Zulu
Natal, two in the Western Cape, one in Bloemfon-
tein and one in Port Elizabeth are the new Corpo-
rate Business Centres.
ahle Powertrain and Clean Air Power
have signed a Memorandum of Un-
derstanding to combine their efforts
in providing rapid and cost-effective solutions
for net-zero fuelled internal combustion engines.
The two companies have a longstanding collab-
orative relationship that has shown excellent re-
sults across a number of important research proj-
ects. As part of these efforts, Mahle Powertrain
will continue to explore opportunities of utilising
their flexible engine control unit in conjunction
with Clean Air Power’s fuel delivery systems.
“The UK was the first country in the world to
commit to phasing out new, non-zero emission
heavy goods vehicles under 26 tonnes by 2035,
with all new trucks to be zero emission by 2040,”
said Dr. Mike Bassett, Engineering Director, Mah-
le Powertrain.
“These far-reaching legislative demands and
their aggressive timescales mean there is strong
industry interest in developing engines for heavy
duty applications that can operate efficiently on
zero-carbon fuels.”
Mahle Powertrain has a long history in the de-
velopment of internal combustion engines. The
company’s flexible engine controller, one of many
innovative solutions, is particularly well suited to
the development of demonstration units, as well
as low volume production applications utilising
alternative fuels or novel technologies.
Clean Air Power is developing injector technol-
ogy aimed at supporting the use of zero-carbon
and renewable fuels such as hydrogen or metha-
nol. Clean Air Power has focussed on higher pow-
er transport solutions such as truck and bus, rail
and marine applications, and is already supplying
fuel injectors for dual- and single-fuel applications
for both, retrofit and new engines.
Volkswagen opens Corporate
Business Centre dealerships
Mahle to collaborate
with Clean Air Power
R10 000 up for grabs in the Automobil Readers Competition.
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OCTOBER 2022
WWW.AUTOMOBIL.CO.ZA
THE DEEPEST BUSINESS REACH INTO THE SA RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
AUTOMECHANIKA FRANKFURT
BUILDING TAILORED SOLUTIONS
FOR THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
47 YEARS OF CHANGING GEARS
NOVEMBER 2022
WWW.AUTOMOBIL.CO.ZA
THE DEEPEST BUSINESS REACH INTO THE SA RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY
TEPA: GIVING TYRE DEALERS A VOICE
LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE RMI
TOYOTA 2000GT RESTORED
DECEMBER 2022
WWW.AUTOMOBIL.CO.ZA
THE DEEPEST BUSINESS REACH INTO THE SA RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY
TRANSFORMATION BEGINS
WITH THE YOUTH OF TODAY
IS THERE A FUTURE FOR
FUEL-CELL VEHICLES?
MOTOR INDUSTRY RECOVERS
DURING THIRD QUARTER
JANUARY 2023
WWW.AUTOMOBIL.CO.ZA
THE DEEPEST BUSINESS REACH INTO THE SA RETAIL MOTOR INDUSTRY
A 2023 ECONOMIC
OUTLOOK
LOOKING BACK.
LOOKING AHEAD
STAYING RELEVANT
IN AN EVOLVING
INDUSTRY