SA well-positioned to serve African market

South Africa is at present well positioned geographically and infrastructurally to serve the emerging African market – strengths which are recognised by the market. Some 64% of respondents to a 2013 KPMG Global Automotive Sector Executive survey said that they would “begin” or “increase” their investments in South Africa. This is the third-highest percentage following China (76%) and India (73%). This potential is recognised more by the Brazilian, Indian and Chinese manufacturers than the long-established OEMs in the country, according to the report. “A significantly higher proportion of respondents from the Bric countries (compared to their TRIAD counterparts) say they will be increasing their investment in South Africa, Colombia, Indonesia, Turkey and Vietnam,” says the report. Some 64% of Bric manufacturers plan to “heavily increase” their investments in South Africa. Two hundred automotive executives participated in the survey, over half of whom are business unit heads or higher.