Report Coverage
This report covers the manufacture, sale, maintenance, and repair of motorcycles and parts in South Africa. It examines key developments, emerging trends, and challenges at the local, regional, and international levels. The report provides information on notable players, corporate actions, regulatory changes, and enterprise development initiatives, and assesses factors such as unforeseen events, macroeconomic conditions, technological innovation, input costs, and environmental considerations. The report profiles 20 players, including BMW (South Africa), Hero Motocorp, TVS Motor Company, Honda Motor Southern Africa, Southern African Motorcycles, and local tuk-tuk manufacturers Green Scooter and MelloVans.
Introduction
• The motorcycle sector in South Africa remains highly reliant on imports of ready-to-ride models and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spares and parts.
• South Africa’s Automotive Industry Master Plan to 2035 describes the local market as too small and fragmented to support local motorcycle assembly, and this is unlikely to change significantly in the future. However, some companies are now manufacturing and assembling three-wheeler vehicles (tuk-tuks) locally, marking a small but significant shift towards domestic production in the light-mobility segment.
• Motorcycle unit sales rose to 43,144 in 2025, up 14.5% year-on-year and more than double the 20,862 units sold in 2019, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% for the period 2019-2025.
• Internal combustion engine motorcycles continue to dominate the domestic market, accounting for an estimated 97.0% of all bikes in 2025. However, the share of electric motorcycles is rising steadily, up from less than 0.4% in 2019 to nearly 3.0%.
• With online retail’s share expanding to around 10.0% (R130.0bn) of total retail in 2025, up 35.0% from 2024, according to World Wide Worx’s Online Retail in South Africa 2025, further growth in delivery bikes is expected.
Trends
• delivery services seeking lower running costs and greater sustainability, though ICE motorcycles continue to dominate market share.
• Electric bikes and tuk-tuks are growing from a small base, driven by commuters and
• Imports from Asia continue to dominate the commercial delivery segment.
• Online retail growth and platform-based delivery services are fuelling motorcycle uptake, with fleets and riders relying on motorbikes for fast, flexible last-mile logistics.
• Rising fuel prices and financial constraints are driving demand for sub-500cc motorcycles, which are cheaper to buy, run, and maintain than cars.
• Urbanisation and traffic congestion in major cities are driving demand for motorcycles.
Opportunities
• A strong focus on youth employment in the aftermarket servicing and repair sector.
• Aftermarket services, including the supply of spares and accessories, and maintenance and repair services.
• Automotive recycling and salvage activities, including dismantling, resale of used parts, and scrap-metal recovery.
• Electric bike/scooter rentals and tuk-tuk leasing.
• Lower operating and maintenance costs and more eco-friendly electric bikes.
• Technical training centres provide opportunities in diagnostics, technician skills, driver certification, and electric vehicle maintenance.
• The uptake of electric motorcycles and tuk-tuks creates opportunities in battery recycling, charging infrastructure, and component manufacturing.
• The used motorcycle market is expanding through online trading platforms.
• Township-based spaza-style automotive retailers supplying spares and accessories to local communities.
Challenges
• Affordability pressures push consumers toward sub-500cc motorcycles, limiting growth in higher-margin segments.
• Compliance with strict OEM and regulatory standards raises entry costs.
• Counterfeit parts undermine safety, erode consumer trust, and damage legitimate suppliers.
• Electric vehicle transition hurdles (charging infrastructure, battery servicing) add complexity to aftermarket operations.
• High capital costs for electric vehicle options limits uptake.
• High capital requirements and lack of local production capacity make domestic manufacturing uncompetitive.
• High insurance costs are driven by high crime risks.
• Import dependency increases exposure to tariff hikes and supply chain shocks.
• Importers face currency volatility risks, supply chain disruptions, and rising shipping costs, which increase landed prices.
• Intense competition from cheap Asian imports squeezes margins.
• Limited localisation and weak R&D capacity restrict opportunities for domestic assembly and innovation.
• Low acceptance of motorcycles as a primary transport mode limits growth potential.
• Pressure on disposable incomes is impacting mid-market enthusiast and leisure demand.
• Skilled labour shortages in diagnostics, technician training, and EV maintenance limit service quality.
• The informal pre-owned market undermines formal retail channels.
Outlook
• The motorcycle industry in South Africa is expected to grow as urbanisation, congestion, and affordability pressures drive demand for smaller, fuel-efficient models.
• Motorcycles are set to play an increasingly important role in personal mobility and commercial logistics, particularly in the fast-growing delivery sector.
• Although the market remains heavily reliant on imports, local initiatives are beginning to support small businesses and encourage participation in related services, such as spare parts, repairs, and fleet management.
• Volume growth is expected to be driven primarily by the commuter and commercial sub-150cc delivery segment, which remains the backbone of the market.
• A gradual uptake of electric motorcycles is anticipated, but the scale is unlikely to disrupt the parts and maintenance aftermarket in the medium term.
• Instead, profitability is expected to shift downstream, with the distribution and retail of high-turnover components such as tyres, brake pads, and consumables positioned to deliver stronger margins, given their high replacement frequency and resilience to technological shifts.
• Electric motorcycles and tuk-tuks are emerging as a new growth area, particularly for last-mile delivery.
• Although internal combustion engine motorcycles still dominate, the share of electric two- and three-wheelers is rising steadily. Early adoption by delivery platforms and pilot projects, such as e-bike rentals and battery-swap services, suggest that electrification could become a practical alternative, providing lower running costs and aligning with sustainability goals.
The Manufacture, Sale, Maintenance and Repair of Motorcycles and Parts in South Africa
2026
Full Report
R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1210.00 (USD)*
Industry Landscape
R 14 000.00(ZAR) estimated $ 847.00 (USD)*
Table of Contents
[ Close ]| PAGE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 |
| 2. | DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY | 1 |
| 2.1. | Industry Value Chain | 4 |
| 2.2. | Geographic Position | 6 |
| 2.3. | Size of the Industry | 7 |
| 3. | LOCAL | 11 |
| 3.1. | State of the Industry | 11 |
| 3.2. | Key Trends | 13 |
| 3.3. | Key Issues | 14 |
| 3.4. | Notable Players | 15 |
| 3.5. | Trade | 16 |
| 3.6. | Corporate Actions | 21 |
| 3.7. | Regulations | 21 |
| 3.8. | Enterprise Development and Social Development | 23 |
| 4. | AFRICA | 25 |
| 5. | INTERNATIONAL | 31 |
| 6. | INFLUENCING FACTORS | 34 |
| 6.1. | Unforeseen Events | 34 |
| 6.2. | Economic Environment | 35 |
| 6.3. | Labour | 36 |
| 6.4. | Environmental Issues | 37 |
| 6.5. | Technology, R&D, Innovation | 38 |
| 6.6. | Government Support | 39 |
| 6.7. | Input Costs | 40 |
| 7. | COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT | 40 |
| 7.1. | Competition | 40 |
| 7.2. | Ownership Structure of the Industry | 42 |
| 7.3. | Barriers to Entry | 42 |
| 8. | INDUSTRY SUMMARY | 43 |
| 9. | OUTLOOK | 45 |
| 10. | INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS | 45 |
| 11. | REFERENCES | 46 |
| 11.1. | Publications | 46 |
| 11.2. | Websites | 46 |
| ANNEXURE 1 | 48 | |
| RELEVANT LEGISLATION | 48 | |
| APPENDIX 1 | 51 | |
| SUMMARY OF NOTABLE PLAYERS | 51 | |
| COMPANY PROFILES | 54 | |
| BMW (SOUTH AFRICA) (PTY) LTD | 54 | |
| COMBINED MOTOR HOLDINGS LTD | 58 | |
| GREEN SCOOTER (PTY) LTD | 63 | |
| HERO MOTOCORP LTD | 64 | |
| HONDA MOTOR SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 66 | |
| KMSA DISTRIBUTORS (PTY) LTD | 69 | |
| KTM MOTORCYCLES SA (PTY) LTD | 72 | |
| M7 INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD | 75 | |
| MAX MOTORCYCLE PARTS SA (PTY) LTD | 77 | |
| MELLOWCABS (PTY) LTD | 78 | |
| MOTO UNO RACING CC | 80 | |
| PIERER NEW MOBILITY SA (PTY) LTD | 81 | |
| PREMIER FUND INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD | 83 | |
| RACE SCREEN TECHNOLOGY CC | 84 | |
| SMITH MINING EQUIPMENT (PTY) LTD | 85 | |
| SOUTHERN AFRICAN MOTORCYCLES (PTY) LTD | 87 | |
| SUZUKI AUTO SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 90 | |
| TRIUMPH SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 95 | |
| TUNING FORK (PTY) LTD | 97 | |
| TVS MOTOR COMPANY LTD | 99 |
