The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is consulting vehicle manufacturers “in a final round of discussion” in its review of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP), says DTI deputy director-general responsible for industrial policy Garth Strachan.
He says the DTI aims to complete the review of the government support programme as soon as “complex negotiations” are wrapped up.
The local automotive industry had expected government to announce the results of the review late in 2014 already, or early in 2015.
The APDP came into effect in 2013, replacing the Motor Industry Development Programme. It is set to run to 2020.
While a number of components manufacturers have urged changes to the programme, vehicle assemblers have noted that any significant changes to the programme before 2020 are likely to erode investor confidence.