Workers assemble a Mercedes-Benz car on the assembly line outside Moscow, Russia. Picture: BLOOMBERG/ILYA ARKHIPOV
The slump in SA new-vehicle sales slowed in May as dealerships resumed some operations after a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic was partially eased. These monthly declines resemble the industry downturn in 2008 and 2009. However, back then, production and public life didn’t largely come to a halt.
So how will the automotive industry get out of this unprecedented crisis and will there be major structural changes? Business Day TV’s Michael Avery speaks to Mike Mabasa, CEO of National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA; Mark Dommisse, chair of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association, and MD and shareholder of North Motor Group and Dealer, and chair of the Honda dealer network; and Faisal Mkhize, Absa Group’s managing executive of Absa vehicle and asset finance.