LIGHT at the end of tunnel for SA car industry in 2025

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The SA car industry has faced plenty of economic headwinds in 2025 already. From uncertainty over Trump tariffs and AGOA trade, to disruptions in steel supply, who’d bet against a downturn in the SA car industry? However, the City of Tshwane has revealed an encouraging new initiative to build Africa’s largest automotive assembly precinct in Rosslyn, Pretoria, reports TimesLive.

As we know, the Rosslyn precinct in Pretoria is already home to four major automotive assemblers in the SA car industry. Namely BMW, Nissan, Tata and Iveco. Now, a new 7 157ha precinct, says Tshwane economic development MMC, Sarah Mabotsa, will create 150 000 jobs.

SA CAR INDUSTRY IN 2025

Local vehicle manufacturing and export contributes billions to the South African GDP each year. Image: File

In short, the master plan is to transform this already important precinct in the SA car industry into Africa’s largest automotive industrial park. “This strategic infrastructure project will be implemented in phases over an estimated 40-50 years. Investment from both public and private sector will see the project to fruition. Furthermore, the plan is to attract foreign and local direct investment into this multi-billion-rand infrastructure programme. This will transform Rosslyn and adjacent areas into a huge industrial park for economic growth and job creation,” Mabotsa said.

Following public comment and participation, the plan will be put into action by the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC). And as it is in partnership with the City of Tshwane and Gauteng provincial government, “The energy and electricity department has confirmed there is sufficient bulk capacity to support the development. And, as the city is a major landowner in the area, the master plan provides a route for the strategic use of the city’s assets for the benefit of our residents,” said Mabotsa.

JOB CREATION IS KEY

Pretoria is home to approximately 4-million employable people and accounts for 25% of Gauteng’s R133-billion economy. However, one in three people in Pretoria is unemployed and seeking work. This new initiative in the SA car industry has the goal of stimulating the economy and supporting the growth of job creation in the province.