Us Tariffs Could Have Serious Implications For Jobs, Investment In Sa Auto Sector, Warns Naamsa

The 'Liberation Day' trade measures, announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2, could have serious implications for the South African automotive industry, says Naamsa The Automotive Business Council.

The move imposes punitive tariffs on all products imported into the US. These differ between countries, but South Africa has been hit with a 30 import tariff on all products.

Naamsa stated that these recent announcements present another challenge for an industry already grappling with multiple headwinds.

In 2024 the US accounted for 6.5 of South African vehicle exports, making it the third-largest destination for locally produced vehicles, with an annual export value in the region of R35 billion.

However, of South Africa's seven volume vehicle manufacturers, only BMW and Mercedes export to the US. These companies have not disclosed the percentage of vehicles exported to that destination, but it is likely to be significant.