South Africa announces participation in Automechanika ME Exhibition 2009

More and more international companies are seeing South Africa as a viable production base thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and comparatively stable economic climate. The South African automotive industry represents many opportunities of mutual benefit.

The participating companies as well as the Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC) would be happy to assist and facilitate interested parties.

The AIEC represents the interests of major motor vehicle manufacturers in South Africa, namely BMW, Ford (incorporating Mazda), General Motors, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, various commercial vehicle manufacturers as well as over 400 component suppliers in South Africa.

In just over a decade the South African automotive industry has achieved international credibility as a reliable source of high quality,
price competitive automotive components and completely built-up vehicles to the world.

Passenger cars, commercial vehicles and automotive components to the value of approximately $10bn were exported to 127 destinations around the world in 2007 and this value increased to about $13bn in 2008.

Vehicle exports increased to a record 284 211 units in 2008 from the 171 237 units exported in 2007. The diverse range of products and wide spread of export markets are indicative of the success of the domestic automotive industry's integration into the global networks of foreign parent companies.

The South African companies participating at the exhibition will showcase their products at the South African National Pavilion that will occupy a prominent position in Hall No. 4.

South Africa will be among the countries that look forward to inviting guests from across the region in order to facilitate interaction and an understanding of the diversity and competitive advantages. These include world-beating cost ability on short or low-volume runs, competitive
tooling costs and a high degree of manufacturing facility.