Ed Richardson
SOUTH AFRICA was
the world's fourth-largest exporter of vehicles, parts and accessories in 1999, according to the Absa banking group's annual report on South Africa's foreign trade.
Automotive-related exports from South Africa totalled R9,5-billion, or 5,5% of total exports during 1999, according to the report.
Motor-related exports to Europe amounted to R5,9 billion during last year (9,2% of South Africa's total exports to the region).
This stemmed from contracts by Volkswagen and BMW of South Africa to export locally manufactured passenger cars, parts and accessories (such as leather seat covers in the case of BMW) to countries in Europe. In 1990 this figure was only R294,8 million or 2% of the country's total exports to the region.
South Africa's most important export category to Germany in 1999 was also vehicles, parts and accessories (R4,3 billion or 32,6% of total exports to the country).
In Oceania, Australia is South Africa's most important trading partner, with vehicles, parts and accessories (which include South African built right-hand drive 3-series BMWs) exports to the total of R605,3 million (23,1% of total exports to the country) in 1999.
The value as well as
volume of exports in this category will increase
significantly during the next few years as all right-hand drive versions of the new Mercedes-Benz C-class will be manufactured in South Africa, following DaimlerChrysler's investment of R1,4 billion at its East London plant recently, according to the report.
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