Vehicles continue to drive up port volumes

Vehicle export volumes 2001 2002 Cars 97307 118100 Light Commercials 10229 9000 Medium and Heavy Commercials 465 400 Total Exports 108001 127500 Ed Richardson VEHICLE EXPORTS and imports are expected to continue growing. The National Automobile Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Naamsa) says manufacturers have secured export orders for 155 000 vehicles in 2003, or 18% more than last year. This will help to increase volumes through the ports of Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban. More exports of vehicles means more imports of both components and vehicles. Stronger exports mean that local assemblers can import more vehicles effectively duty-free through the Motor Industry Development Plan (MIDP). A large percentage of components in exported vehicles are also imported, which means more container traffic for the ports. During 2003, vehicle manufacturers would invariably continue to focus on improving their international competitiveness in terms of production costs, product quality and delivery standards, says Naamsa. Automotive component exports could however come under some pressure principally due to the rand’s strength which has eroded the industry’s competitiveness to some extent.