This is a concrete illustration of how a single US policy decision can ripple through a specific South African town, factory and workforce almost immediately. South African automakers overall found alternative markets and even grew total exports slightly in 2025, but that resilience masked a severe, concentrated impact on plants tied specifically to the US market.
Source: naamsa
Frequently Asked Questions
Did South Africa's total vehicle exports also fall because of this?
No — overall vehicle exports actually rose almost 6% in 2025 to a record 414,268 units, as manufacturers redirected volumes to other markets.
Why were Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicles hit so much harder than other models?
The East London plant's production was heavily concentrated on this specific model for US-bound export, making it unusually exposed to a single market's tariff policy.
Has the tariff on vehicles changed since 2025?
The 25% Section 232 vehicle tariff is a separate action from the broader country-level tariffs, and remained in place into 2026.