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, turbocharger
and braking systems; automotive engineers who machine and
remanufacture engine components by way of expert engineering
– 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 moving
equipment, highway trucks, stationary engines and passenger
vehicles. ARA promotes the responsible reuse of remanufactured
engine components for a ‘greener’ environment (carbon foot-
print). 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
February 2023
news
“D
uring the latter part of 2022, we es-
timated that total sales in respect
of calendar year 2022 could exceed
30 000 new units. It was a pleasant surprise that
the market ended up on 31 374 new units for 2022.
This represents an increase of 18.4% on compara-
tive 2021, which in turn was up 28% on 2020. The
market is now well above pre-COVID sales levels,”
says Arnold Olivier, National Director, AMID (Asso-
ciation of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors).
Small capacity commercial and commuting
motorcycles and scooters grew by 29.6%. This
growth is largely driven by the continuing growth
of e-commerce business. The higher priced
500cc+ leisure segments shrank by 10%, whereas
the leisure segment below 500cc grew by 39%.
Off-road motorcycle sales, which is also a leisure
segment, decreased by 12.3%.
The Quad market declined by 4%. This market
is more affected by stock shortages than is the
case with conventional motorcycles.
Electric two and three wheeled motorcycle
sales accounted for less than 150 units per annum,
yet sales grew by 135%. This is indicative of an ev-
er-increasing interest in EV, however several of the
models registered were homologation samples,
with very little evidence of commercial traction.
“AMID and our importing members remain
positive that the growth pattern will continue
into 2023 and beyond,” concluded Olivier.
Motorcycle market achieves
excellent growth
n August and September of this year, the auto-
motive industry in South Africa will experience
a compact schedule of highly focused events
over a time span of two weeks, covering four in-
dustry verticals.
Starting off with the Festival of Motoring, pas-
sionate car enthusiasts will once again be able
to get behind the wheel or in the passenger seat
of the latest and greatest vehicles, performance
cars, electric vehicles, regular street cars in a con-
trolled high-speed environment.
Leading car manufacturers will demonstrate
the capabilities of their range of cars on various
tracks including the main circuit of the Kyalami
International Grand Prix Circuit, the self- handling
track and the 4x4 course.
This will be followed by the NAACAM Show
2023, hosted by the City of Tshwane, and organ-
ised by Messe Frankfurt. This premium event,
being held at the Sun Arena Times Square from
30 August to 01 September, is a showcase of the
linkages between various tiers of SA’s automo-
tive component manufacturers and their major
vehicle OEM customers in the autos manufac-
turing value chain. The National Association of
Automotive Component and Allied Manufactur-
ers (NAACAM) is the industry association repre-
senting the interests of the country’s automotive
component manufacturers. The NAACAM Show
will feature the latest in automotive technology
and design, as well as provide a platform for net-
working and business opportunities for industry
professionals.
Following the NAACAM Show, the attention
turns to the automotive aftermarket at Autom-
echanika Johannesburg. Exhibitors from all over
the world as well as local manufacturers and
wholesalers will engage in sales and distribution
agreements for the South African and surround-
ing countries’ aftermarket professionals, secur-
ing the smooth operations of the automotive
parts trade, the workshops and service stations
as well as upskilling the automotive workforce
across the country.
Co-located with Automechanika Johannes-
burg will be Futuroad, which represents the
South African transport and logistics sector. At
Futuroad, leading manufacturers will present
their latest light and heavy trucks, busses, and
transport solutions to ensure the smooth move-
ment of goods and people.
Four times high for
automotive pioneers