Auto aftermarket body appeals for help to keep wheels turning
SA’s Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) has appealed to the government for funding to help keep the automotive aftermarket industry’s wheels turning post-lockdown.
Jakkie Olivier, CEO of the RMI, is concerned about the sustainability of the sector and warns that the economy could grind to a halt without the ability to maintain or fix cars, taxis and buses.
“The economy in SA is heavily dependent on an effective automotive repair and maintenance sector covering each and every town or city across the country’s wide geographical areas,” he said.
Olivier maintains there are thousands of cars locked down unfinished in workshops and repair shops across the country, which could affect the mobility of many out of lockdown.
He also cautions that even when the lockdown is lifted, there is no guarantee when these businesses will be able to trade effectively due to uncertainty over the availability of automotive parts, many of which are imported.
“The effect is being felt across all our businesses from the micro and small enterprises through to the medium and larger businesses.”
Olivier says about 80% of tyre, parts and accessory retailers, and repair and servicing outlets, are small- to mediumsized businesses.
He quoted findings from the pre-lockdown Covid-19 National Small Business Survey released by the National Small Business Chamber, which highlighted deep economic challenges facing small businesses during these unpredictable times.
Chamber CEO Mike Anderson said that small businesses were facing insufficient cash flow due to a poor flow of customers.
Olivier said a significant number of retail automotive businesses were under severe pressure to pay their creditors and their employees.
He appealed to the government to recognise the critical role the automotive aftermarket industry was playing in keeping the economy ticking, and the need to prioritise an alternate funding mechanism/capital injection before it was too late and businesses closed their doors.