The ministry cites an aftermarket that traded about 933 billion rand in 2025 and replacement-parts imports of 107.5 billion rand. Those figures underpin the industrial direction advocated by the deputy minister.
In a response carried by All Things Motoring, industry organisation RMI welcomes the focus on repairers, suppliers and small businesses. It also stresses the need for skills suited to new automotive technologies.
Steenhuisen wants the review of the APDP2 automotive development programme to consider this wider ecosystem. The policy position does not yet amount to an adopted reform or investment actually delivered.