Income

The total income for the motor trade industry in 2022 was R833,0 billion. The total income represents an increase of 5,6% per annum compared with the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2018 (R670,7 billion). Comparing 2018 and 2022, large increases were reported for ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (+R72,0 billion), ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ (+R53,0 billion) and ‘sales of new motor vehicle parts and accessories’ (+R23,7 billion).

Between 2012 and 2022, ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ gained the biggest percentage share (+2,1 percentage points) in income (from a percentage contribution of 46,9% in 2012 to 49,0% in 2022). ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel’ lost the biggest percentage share (-1,0 percentage point) over the same period (from 29,7% in 2012 to 28,7% in 2022).

Revisions: revisions were made to Report No. 63-01-02 (2018) results due to new information obtained after the publication.

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the motor trade industry as at the end of June 2022 was 266 165. This represents a change of 0,0% per annum compared with the employment recorded in 2018 (266 489 persons). ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel’ employed the largest number of persons (89 795 or 33,6%), followed by ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (82 925 or 31,2%) and ‘maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ (42 813 or 16,1%).

Formal employment decreased from 277 660 in 2012 to 266 165 in 2022 (a loss of 11 495 jobs). The biggest losses in employment between 2012 and 2022 were in ‘maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ (-5 949), ‘sales of new motor vehicle parts and accessories’ (-4 034) and ‘wholesale sales of motor vehicles’ (-3 206). The only gain in employment over the same period was in ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ (+4 103).

Average salaries and wages

The average salaries and wages in the motor trade industry in 2022 was R207 833. The type of motor trade with the highest average salaries and wages in 2022 was ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (R307 241), followed by ‘wholesale sales of motor vehicles’ (R291 732) and ‘sales, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related parts and accessories’ (R225 892). The type of motor trade with the lowest average salaries and wages in 2022 was ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ (R132 001).

Total average salaries and wages increased from R126 151 in 2012 to R207 833 in 2022, an annualised growth rate of 5,1%. The highest annualised growth rate between surveys in the motor trade industry was 5,7% between 2015 and 2018.