THE current national automotive policy, the Automotive Production and Development Plan (APDP), will expire in 2020, and will be replaced by the recently announced SA Automotive Masterplan (SAAM), which will guide the sector to 2035.
According to the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM), the new policy will build on the elements of the APDP that have been effective and will provide a unified roadmap under a revised incentive framework that promotes local value addition and not only production volumes.
Targets of the SAAM include doubling employment, increasing local content levels to 60%, ensuring better representation of Black-owned suppliers in the value chain, and expanding production to 1% of global output.
The association has committed itself to be a driving force for the achievement of the SAAM targets, with the NAACAM Show 2019, now just weeks away, tipped to play a leading role in galvanising the industry around the vision of the SAAM.
Core objectives of the initiative include the promotion of localisation and transformation of the automotive value chain and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology transfer to enhance the capacity and capability of local manufacturers.
Beyond the significant conference programme and exhibition of the show, there are three additional aspects to the initiative firms are encouraged to engage in to maximise the value from participation – a localisation exhibition, buyer-supplier linkage meetings and hosting of nominated foreign technology partners and international buyers
The exhibition showcases the capabilities, products and services of the local automotive sector, pre-arranged buyer-supplier meetings (270+ already planned) and a localisation exhibition where estimated 1 000+ imported components will be displayed for firms to bid on.
In line with the SAAM the conference programme has been developed around six core themes: driving growth; increasing local content; future of manufacturing and the auto industry; transformation; operational excellence; and regional market dynamics.
Local automotive companies, service providers and support organisations on the conference programme include: ABSA, Automotive Industry Development Centre, Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative, Atlantis Foundries, B&M Analysts, Bosch, Business Unity SA, Durban Automotive Cluster, Data Prophet, Durban University of Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Expert Automotive Trim, GUD Holdings, Hesto Harnesses, Jendamark, KPL Die Casting, Mahle Behr, Metair, NAACAM, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Thebe Unico, Toyota SA Motors, Toyota Wessels Institute of Manufacturing Studies, Ubu Investments, Volkswagen, Yekani Manufacturing, and the YES programme.
The show will be taking place at the Durban ICC, from 12 to 14 March. To express an interest in participating in buyer-supplier linkage meetings, nominate international buyers and technology partners for hosting or to express an interest in participating in the localisation exhibition, email info@naacamshow.co.za or call 031 7646 100.