Fancy cars and bakkies may be the stars of the show but it’s the development of local components that will determine the success or failure of the South African motor industry. As a succession of speakers made clear at a conference last week, it’s the unsexy side of the industry that holds the future in its hands.   

Trade, industry & competition minister Ebrahim Patel noted: “The importance of components manufacturing is often underplayed. Emphasis is on the end product. But without an increase in components manufacturing, the argument for [government] incentives is weaker.” ..

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