South Africa’s automotive aftermarket should be part of the country’s industrial policy discussion, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition John Steenhuisen said at Automechanika Johannesburg on 27 October. His call raises questions for tyre manufacturers, retreaders, distributors and fitment businesses about how future policy could support the industry.
Speaking at the event’s CEO breakfast, Steenhuisen called for greater investment, localisation, skills development and exports across the automotive aftermarket, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). He said the ongoing review of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP2) should consider businesses that support vehicles throughout their working lives, alongside vehicle manufacturing.
A large market, but no tyre-specific commitment
The dtic said the broader retail and aftermarket economy traded approximately R933 billion in 2025 and contributed R202.6 billion to GDP. These are different measures of the wider automotive economy; neither figure is a measure of South Africa’s tyre market.
The department also cited approximately R107.5 billion in replacement-parts imports in 2025. Those numbers are attributed to the department and were not independently audited for this article.
The department’s statement did not announce a new tyre-specific incentive, tariff, funding allocation or completed investment. It is therefore too early to say which tyre businesses might qualify for support or whether the review will change their costs.
What tyre businesses should watch
For the local tyre value chain, the next step is to establish whether the APDP2 review will address replacement tyres, retreading capacity, equipment and fitment skills, and whether any proposals will be open to smaller independent businesses. These are reporting questions, not confirmed policy commitments.
Steenhuisen also identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as a potential route for regional trade in replacement parts, remanufactured products and specialist services. Any implications for tyre exports or cross-border operations would depend on the details of future measures and applicable trade rules.
SATreads will seek further clarity from the dtic and tyre-industry representatives on the review process, consultation opportunities and the practical needs of the sector.
Source: Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, 27 October 2026: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/deputy-minister-john-steenhuisen-calls-for-greater-localisation-investment-and-job-creation-in-south-africas-r933-billion-automotive-aftermarket-industry/
