Motor industry to unveil plans to improve global edge

AGAINST THE background of strike action which is tainting the image of South Africa's vehicle manufacturing industry abroad, important developments to improve global competitiveness will be announced in Port Elizabeth on August 27.
The Global Competitiveness Centre and the Centre for Automotive Engineering at Stellenbosch University, as well as the Pretoria-based Automotive Industry Development Council and CSIR, have developed new programmes aimed at pushing South Africa's automotive exports to record levels, according to the PE Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PERCCI).
The organisations come together at a major event for the first time at the Autocluster Africa 2001 conference taking place at the Boardwalk in the motor city on August 27 and 28. It will be the first major motor industry gathering since the Department of Trade and Industry released its national strategic plan "Driving Competitiveness - an Integrated Industrial Strategy for Sustainable Employment and Growth". Industry stakeholders attending the conference will include those due to discuss with the DTI the extension of the government's Motor Industry Development Programme from 2007 to 2012.
"The conference will highlight how more companies can participate in the remarkable successes that the MIDP has made possible for the South African motor industry in the past five years," says conference convenor Colin Haynes. "This year, automotive exports are predicted to soar to a record R24.5 billion from R18.9 billion last year - with component exports rising to R13.5 billion and the value of built-up vehicle exports reaching R11 billion. "By 2002, according to NAAMSA, South Africa should be exporting about 120 000 vehicles worth R13 billion to global markets, with particularly attractive opportunities opening up in Europe and the United States."