South Africa: Transportation Vehicle Body Market 2025

Transportation Vehicle Body Market Size in South Africa

The South African transportation vehicle body market contracted sharply to $X in 2022, declining by -47.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Transportation Vehicle Body Production in South Africa

In value terms, transportation vehicle body production contracted sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 31%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Transportation Vehicle Body Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of bodies for motor vehicles for the transporting people decreased by -34.7% to X units, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports saw a dramatic contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 132% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, transportation vehicle body exports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a sharp decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 97%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X units) was the main destination for transportation vehicle body exports from South Africa, with a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, transportation vehicle body exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Botswana (X units), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the UK (X units), with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zambia amounted to +12.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (-11.3% per year) and the UK (-0.4% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for bodies for motor vehicles for the transporting people exports from South Africa, comprising 23% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Botswana amounted to -10.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+8.6% per year) and the UK (-9.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average transportation vehicle body export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, with a decrease of -7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 40%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Swaziland (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Transportation Vehicle Body Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of bodies for motor vehicles for the transporting people increased by 159% to X units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 2,034% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, transportation vehicle body imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 213%. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Hungary (X units), the United States (X units) and Hong Kong SAR (X units) were the main suppliers of transportation vehicle body imports to South Africa, with a combined 97% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Hungary (with a CAGR of +700.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of bodies for motor vehicles for the transporting people to South Africa, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hungary ($X), with a 1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States totaled +31.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Hungary (+458.6% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average transportation vehicle body import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, reducing by -25.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a sharp contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 596% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the price for Hong Kong SAR ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (-9.0%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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