The 2026 South African Auto Week (SAAW) is set to take place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) from October 13 to 16. This will be the fifth edition of the gathering, which brings together the automotive industry, government, and investors. The event is convened by Naamsa, the automotive business council. Previous editions were held in Gqeberha, Cape Town, and twice in Midrand.
This year’s theme is “Transforming Tomorrow Today”, with industry stakeholders and international partners confronting the choices that will determine whether South Africa retains and expands its position as a globally competitive automotive manufacturing country. According to Naamsa, the South African automotive industry is a national industrial asset. The sector has demonstrated its resilience and global relevance, but past performance alone will not preserve its manufacturing base.
The industry’s 2025 export value of South African vehicles and automotive components increased from R268.8bn to a record R291bn, representing growth of 8.3%. Automotive exports accounted for 15.6% of total exports, while vehicle exports rose by 5.9% to a record 414,271 units. The broader automotive industry contributed 5.2% to GDP. Preserving this industrial base is therefore not only an automotive priority, it is central to South Africa’s manufacturing capacity, trade performance, employment, and economic resilience.
Though the industry has remained resilient, its future cannot be taken for granted, said Naamsa. Intensifying global competition for automotive investment, changing export market regulations, the shift to new energy vehicles, and domestic cost and logistics pressures require co-ordinated action. The hosting of SAAW 2026 aligns strongly with KwaZulu-Natal’s economic development priorities and with the national imperative to preserve and grow South Africa’s manufacturing base.
KwaZulu-Natal premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the port of Durban, Dube trade port special economic zone, and N3 logistics corridor connect the province to Gauteng’s industrial base and international markets. A key development for this year’s programme is the deliberate integration of the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference into SAAW on October 15 at the Durban ICC.
By bringing the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference into SA Auto Week, the organisers are connecting investors to an established industrial platform and creating a clearer pathway from investment and policy commitments to localisation, infrastructure, and production. The 2026 programme is designed to move beyond discussion and support practical alignment, and begins with showcasing South Africa’s progress in new energy vehicle technologies and raising public awareness around the transition towards cleaner mobility.
Registration for the event is open on Quicket, with a range of ticket options available to delegates and visitors. According to Shinny Gobiyeza, COO of Naamsa, “The fifth edition of SA Auto Week comes at a decisive moment for the future of domestic automotive manufacturing.” The event aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss the future of the industry and explore opportunities for growth and development.
Key points
- The 2026 South African Auto Week will take place in Durban from October 13 to 16.
- The event’s theme is “Transforming Tomorrow Today”, focusing on the industry’s future and its position as a globally competitive automotive manufacturing country.
- The industry’s 2025 export value reached a record R291bn, representing growth of 8.3%.
