Auto shipments to foreign markets hit new high, but shift to electric vehicles sees drop in catalytic converter numbers

Despite a tough domestic economy undermining a recovery in new-vehicle sales to prepandemic levels, record vehicle exports in 2023 ensured that the South African automotive sector still managed to outperform the rest of the manufacturing sector, says Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council chief trade and research officer Dr Norman Lamprecht. The value of vehicles and automotive components exported from South Africa last year increased by R43.5-billion, or 19.1%, from the R227.3-billion recorded in 2022, to a record R270.8-billion – taking it to 14.7% of total South African exports.