Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our next podcast discussion is with Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Stellantis South Africa, focusing on the state and future of the automotive industry in South Africa and the wider African continent. Whitfield emphasises that the industry, which accounts for 5% of the South African economy, must adapt quickly to global changes and challenges like increased competition from Asian imports, particularly from China and India. A key focus is on Stellantis's strategy of deep localisation and regional manufacturing, highlighting plans for a new assembly plant in South Africa to produce pickups and other vehicles for the African market, supporting the Continental Free Trade Agreement. The conversation also explores the need for increased local purchasing and government support to boost domestic production and discusses the growing importance of micromobility and new energy vehicles as viable options for affordable transport across Africa.
0:00 - Introduction to the podcast and Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Stellantis South Africa
2:45 - Overview of the South African automotive industry's economic role and current challenges
6:30 - Rising competition from Asian imports, especially China and India
10:15 - Stellantis' strategy for deep localisation and regional manufacturing in Africa
14:50 - Plans for the new South African assembly plant and focus on pickups plus expanded vehicle lineup
19:20 - Supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and boosting intra-African markets
23:40 - Importance of local purchasing, government support, micromobility, and new energy vehicles for Africa's future
Visit Cars.co.za at:
https://www.cars.co.za
Sell your car on Cars.co.za:
https://www.cars.co.za/sell-car/
Follow Cars.co.za on the socials:
twitter.com/CarsSouthAfrica
facebook.com/CarsSA
instagram.com/CarsSouthAfrica
tiktok.com/@carssouthafrica
Download the Cars.co.za App here:
Apple
apps.apple.com/za/app/cars-co-za/id626789511
Android
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mushroomcloud.cars&hl=en_ZA&gl=US
Huawei App Gallery
appgallery.huawei.com/#/app/C100880073
Our next podcast discussion is with Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Stellantis South Africa, focusing on the state and future of the automotive industry in South Africa and the wider African continent. Whitfield emphasises that the industry, which accounts for 5% of the South African economy, must adapt quickly to global changes and challenges like increased competition from Asian imports, particularly from China and India. A key focus is on Stellantis's strategy of deep localisation and regional manufacturing, highlighting plans for a new assembly plant in South Africa to produce pickups and other vehicles for the African market, supporting the Continental Free Trade Agreement. The conversation also explores the need for increased local purchasing and government support to boost domestic production and discusses the growing importance of micromobility and new energy vehicles as viable options for affordable transport across Africa.
0:00 - Introduction to the podcast and Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Stellantis South Africa
2:45 - Overview of the South African automotive industry's economic role and current challenges
6:30 - Rising competition from Asian imports, especially China and India
10:15 - Stellantis' strategy for deep localisation and regional manufacturing in Africa
14:50 - Plans for the new South African assembly plant and focus on pickups plus expanded vehicle lineup
19:20 - Supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and boosting intra-African markets
23:40 - Importance of local purchasing, government support, micromobility, and new energy vehicles for Africa's future
Visit Cars.co.za at:
https://www.cars.co.za
Sell your car on Cars.co.za:
https://www.cars.co.za/sell-car/
Follow Cars.co.za on the socials:
twitter.com/CarsSouthAfrica
facebook.com/CarsSA
instagram.com/CarsSouthAfrica
tiktok.com/@carssouthafrica
Download the Cars.co.za App here:
Apple
apps.apple.com/za/app/cars-co-za/id626789511
Android
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mushroomcloud.cars&hl=en_ZA&gl=US
Huawei App Gallery
appgallery.huawei.com/#/app/C100880073
