AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT and vehicle exports from South Africa grew by over 50 per cent between 2001 and 2002, according to the Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC). It reports that FOB exports of automotive components in aggregate terms increased by 47 per cent from R12,6 billion in 2000 to R18,6 billion in 2001. The growth slowed in 2002, with FOB exports rising by 23 per cent to R22,8 billion from R18,6 billion in 2001. Exchange rate factors would have contributed to this, according to the council. In the case of vehicle exports, the growth momentum has remained high and FOB export revenues increased from R7,4 billion in 2000 to R11,4 billion in 2001 – an increase of 54,2 per cent. Export revenues rose from R11,4 billion in 2001 to R17,2 billion in 2002 – an increase of 50,9 per cent. Over 60 000 Mercedes Benz C-class cars and Golf 4s and Polos are exported annually from the Eastern Cape. The council says catalytic converter exports grew from R4,682-billion in 2000 to R8,989-billion in 2001 and R9,204-billion in 2002. It remains the single biggest category of exports. The next-biggest is seat parts/leather covers, with exports of R3,183-billion (up from R2,391-billion in 2001). The Eastern Cape accounting for the bulk of South African production of catalytic converters and a big percentage of seats and leather covers. “On balance, component exports showed broadly diversified growth with significant improvements in exports of axles, brake parts, car radios, engines and engine parts, filters, automotive glass, radiators, road wheels, leather seat covers, transmission shafts, tyres and wiring harnesses,” it says.