From automotive strength to next-generation mobility, investment and inclusive growth.
The Eastern Cape will showcase its position as South Africa’s automotive hub at South African Auto Week 2026, taking place in KwaZulu-Natal from 13 to 16 October under the theme “Resetting Policy. Advancing the Energy Transition. Driving Investment and Inclusive Growth.”
The Eastern Cape’s participation will focus on the province’s established automotive manufacturing base and its efforts to position the sector for the next phase of automotive production, including the transition towards new energy vehicles and broader participation in the automotive value chain.
The Eastern Cape’s automotive investment proposition is anchored by its established manufacturing base, including six of South Africa’s seven vehicle manufacturers, a substantial component manufacturing sector and two complementary industrial platforms: the Coega Special Economic Zone (Coega SEZ) and East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ). Together, the SEZs provide dedicated automotive manufacturing and supplier infrastructure, serviced industrial sites, access to strategic ports and integrated logistics networks, investor facilitation and opportunities for technology development and innovation.
The Coega SEZ’s Automotive Hub and the ELIDZ’s Automotive Supplier Park strengthen the province’s position across the automotive value chain, while the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park supports innovation and the transition to next-generation mobility. These capabilities are further supported by renewable-energy potential, investor support through the province’s One-Stop Shop and broader industrial infrastructure.
The Eastern Cape will also showcase selected suppliers and enterprises supported through its development institutions, demonstrating the breadth of its automotive value chain and its efforts to create market-access opportunities, strengthen enterprise development and expand the participation of emerging businesses. Among these is Style E-Bikes, an SMME supported through the ELIDZ’s Manufacturing Incubator.
MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters, said the Eastern Cape’s participation is about building on the province’s established automotive strength while preparing the industry for the changes ahead.
“The automotive sector is central to the Eastern Cape economy, but our task is not simply to protect what we have. We must position our existing industrial base for the next generation of automotive manufacturing. That means attracting and retaining investment, strengthening localisation and supply chains, supporting our small businesses and preparing for the transition to new energy vehicles. The Eastern Cape has the industrial capability, infrastructure and skills base to remain a leading automotive destination, and we must use these strengths to create new opportunities for inclusive growth.”
The transition to new energy vehicles is already evident in the province, including through the development of EV charging infrastructure and initiatives to build the capabilities required for the emerging electric mobility ecosystem.
The Eastern Cape Government, through the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC), has to date rolled out 15 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the province, strengthening connectivity between the province’s industrial hubs and major economic corridors and supporting the development of an emerging electric mobility network.
The province’s participation also builds on its successful hosting of major automotive industry platforms in 2025, including South African Auto Week and the NAACAM Show in Gqeberha.
SA Auto Week 2026 brings together government, industry, labour, investors and international automotive stakeholders to consider the policies, technologies and investment decisions that will shape the next phase of South Africa’s automotive industry.
For media enquiries:
Mr. Ncedo Lisani
DEDEAT
Email: ncedo.lisani@dedea.gov.za
Mobile: 066 485 0501