The 2025 National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) Show will, for the first time, be hosted in Nelson Mandela Bay, at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre, from August 13 to 14.

The event will be held in partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre – Eastern Cape.

“This setting is particularly fitting, as the Eastern Cape stands at the heart of South Africa’s automotive manufacturing value chain, accounting for nearly half of the country’s light-vehicle production and close on a third of its light-vehicle exports,” explains NAACAM CEO Renai Moothilal.

The region is also home to more than 40% of NAACAM members and four of South Africa’s automotive original-equipment manufacturers, making it the ideal backdrop to spotlight the sector’s contribution to economic growth, employment creation and community development across the manufacturing value chain.

“Attendees can expect a dynamic showcase of the trends and technologies that are reshaping South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector,” he adds.

This year’s iteration will underscore how the South African industry leverages localisation, innovation and sustainability to build its globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem on the continent.

The ongoing drive towards localised component manufacture can enable South Africa and the continent at large to strengthen its supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on imports, and has been flagged as an imperative for the sector.

The transition to green manufacturing practices as well as the production of new energy vehicle technologies by component manufacturers is also taking centre stage, as companies align with global trends and standards.

Additionally, Moothilal stresses that there is strong momentum in building industry skills capacity and empowering small-, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) to contribute meaningfully to the automotive value chain.

Technically Speaking

Moothilal says the exhibition will showcase emerging innovations, including advanced automation in production processes, digital twin technology, AI for predictive maintenance, and a heightened emphasis on new energy vehicle components and the battery manufacturing value chain.

“These innovations signal South Africa’s readiness to participate in the global shift towards cleaner, smarter mobility solutions.”

NAACAM Show 2025 will host targeted panel discussions, site tours, technology showcases and side-stream workshops that address critical issues such as digital transformation, supply chain localisation and the expansion of component exports.

“These sessions will unpack emerging trends, opportunities, challenges and innovations – equipping attendees with actionable knowledge to remain competitive in a global market,” he adds.

The domestic sector is positioning itself for sustainable growth, technological leadership and increased participation in global value chains, and the NAACAM Show 2025 will be a key catalyst to drive that vision.

Added Exposure

This year’s iteration of the biennial event aims to build on the success of the 2023 Show. Close on 150 global and local brands will be exhibiting and over 1 200 attendees are expected over the two days of the show.

The exhibition zones promote sector-focused showcases and highlight niche and emerging segments of the automotive component value chain such as advanced manufacturing, green mobility solutions and new vehicle localisation and export possibilities.

Attendees will have the opportunity to make use of the custom B2B matchmaking service, facilitating greater levels of interaction between delegates, exhibitors and trade visitors.

Moothilal concludes that the NAACAM Show will continue to evolve as a strategic enabler of South Africa’s industrialisation agenda, providing a platform that showcases excellence and drives actionable outcomes for growth in the manufacturing value chain.