From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

As South Africa’s automotive sector enters a defining phase, innovation, localisation, electrification and Africa’s growth opportunity are all shaping the road ahead. For automotive component manufacturer MAHLE in South Africa, the shift to cleaner mobility has to be treated as an industrial and market-specific transition. Sabrina Jardim has the story.

Sabrina Jardim:

With infrastructure, affordability, regulation and operating conditions differing widely across the continent, MAHLE believes the transition to cleaner mobility will have to be led by technological diversity, with electric, hybrid, hydrogen, sustainable fuel and efficient internal combustion technologies working alongside each other according to market need.

The company argues that Africa’s automotive future, therefore, cannot be defined by one drivetrain, one policy model or one global template.

Through its MAHLE 2030+ strategy, the technology group is focused on electrification, thermal management and components for clean, efficient internal combustion engines (ICE), while its South African operations continue to support passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket customers through local manufacturing, engineering capability and export production.

While some global markets are rapidly adopting battery-electric vehicles, African markets must also consider infrastructure readiness, affordability, energy supply, vehicle utilisation patterns and the need to maintain industrial competitiveness.

Mahle Group corporate research and advanced engineering VP Dr Marco Warth…

Sabrina Jardim:

For MAHLE, thermal management remains one of the most important enablers of future mobility. In conventional powertrains, thermal systems support efficiency, reliability and emissions performance.

In hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), the company explains, thermal management directly influences battery performance, charging behaviour, driving range, cabin comfort and component durability.

It notes that this capability is particularly relevant in African operating conditions, where vehicle uptime, durability, serviceability and total cost of ownership remain important considerations for passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle operators alike.

Mahle Group corporate research and advanced engineering VP Dr Marco Warth…

Sabrina Jardim:

MAHLE South Africa employs 646 full-time employees and operates from Durban and Gqeberha. Durban is focused on heat exchangers and components, while

Gqrberha is focused on HVAC and air cleaner assembly.

The local operation manufactures injection moulding parts, stamping parts and welded tubes, as well as Nocolok-brazed and mechanical joint radiators, direct charge air coolers, heater cores, evaporators, HVAC systems and engine cooling modules. Oil coolers, heater cores and condensers are imported and supplied into the local market.

A key local capability is welded tube technology used in radiators, heater cores, direct

charge air coolers and indirect charge air coolers.

The Durban operation exports about 120-million aluminium tubes a year, supporting global thermal management applications.

MAHLE South Africa MD Juergen Wolf…

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.