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
news
www.automobil.co.za
January 2023
ontinental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) is
celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022.
Since the Continental group has found its
home on South African soil in 1987, it has grown
the company into a trusted, renowned, and
sought-after brand, known for the premium tyres
it produces. With over 1 000 employees across
its manufacturing, marketing and sales opera-
tions, Continental Tyre South Africa is home to
vibrant and innovative people whose passion to
win ensures that it is an integral part of the mo-
bility of the future.
“The 75th anniversary of Continental’s South
African operations is an amazing milestone for
the company, and a proud achievement for all
our people that have helped us reach this im-
portant chapter of our history,” says Martin Bu-
day, Managing Director of CTSA. “Over the past
several decades, the company has expanded to
meet the growing demand for Continental and
General Tire-branded products in both the orig-
inal equipment and replacement tyre sectors,
both in South Africa and export countries.
“Our Gqeberha plant has benefitted from
major investments and upgrades to introduce
the latest technologies, cutting-edge production
processes and the most advanced tooling, which
together with the expertise of our people con-
tributed to our 75-year success story,” highlight-
ed Attie Higgs, Acting Plant Manager of the South
African manufacturing facility.
The company’s history started when the Gen-
eral Tire and Rubber Company was established
by the Williams Hunt Group and General Tire USA
in 1947. Almost 40 years later, in 1985, Continen-
tal AG and General Tyre SA signed an agreement
to produce Continental branded tyres in South
Africa. The local operation was acquired by Con-
tinental in 1998 and renamed Continental Tyre
South Africa (Pty) Ltd, creating the foundation to
become one of South Africa’s leading tyre man-
ufacturers and an integral part of Continental’s
global family. In 2013, CTSA became fully owned
subsidiary of Continental.
ocal automotive intelligence has found that
criminals are now using sophisticated tech-
nology to target high-end and luxury vehi-
cles featuring keyless or smart entry systems and
emergency start capabilities. The rise in these
crimes has partly been attributed to increased
vehicle usage since businesses re-opened after
the COVID-19-induced lockdown, as well as a
new modus operandi on the part of criminals and
syndicates, such as keyless access theft.
While this phenomenon affects automotive
brands across the board, as well as all makes of
cars, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) con-
firms that it has been proactively conducting
extensive research and development into the en-
hancement of its vehicle security systems.
TSAM’s research and development team act-
ed proactively, forming allies with various parties,
including the South African Police Services, in or-
der to gather intelligence about the new methods
used by criminals when stealing cars in SA. The
intelligence gathered revealed that highly sophis-
ticated cyber-attacks are used by thieves to exploit
the vehicle’s computer-controlled systems.
These attacks include three modes: CAN at-
tack, fob relaying and a combination of forced
entry and key cloning.
The CAN attack happens when the vehicle’s
Control Area Network is infiltrated using highly
sophisticated electronic equipment to gain entry
and then access the computer system to start the
engine.
Fob relaying is achieved using high-tech re-
ceivers and transmitters to remotely read the ve-
hicle’s security key whilst in the possession of the
owner, thereby allowing the attacker to unlock
and start the vehicle.
The third, a combination of forced entry and
key cloning, is executed using advanced tech-
niques and equipment to disable the vehicle’s
alarm system, and then clone its security key.
Having studied the methods mentioned
above, TSAM has developed several measures
to mitigate possible theft of Toyota and Lex-
us-branded vehicles in the country. These en-
hancement measures have already been shared
with the Toyota dealer network through a series
of practical online sessions and bulletins. In addi-
tion, the enhancements have also been reviewed
and evaluated by VSS Administration – an inde-
pendent South African organisation that specia-
lises in vehicle security and automotive systems.
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
at TSAM, Leon Theron says: “We, as Toyota, are
committed to developing safe and reliable vehi-
cles and we will continue with our research and
development to further enhance our vehicle se-
curity systems. I would also like to add that vehi-
cle owners will not negate the warranty on their
vehicles should they elect to fit an aftermarket
security device if these are installed correctly by
a reputable fitment centre.”
Theron added that customers who own the
vehicle models mentioned above can take them
to their nearest dealership for security enhance-
ments. New vehicles as well as those arriving at
dealers for servicing will automatically receive
these enhancements. These will all be carried out
at no cost to the customer.
Affected models include Hilux Legend models
from 2019; all Fortuner models from 2016; Land
Cruiser Prado (VX and VXL models from 2017); all
Land Cruiser 200 with Smart Entry, Land Cruiser
300 and all Lexus RX and LX models from 2015.
Toyota announces enhancements
to vehicle safety
Continental celebrates
75 years in SA