Johannesburg, 20 February 2025 – The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) and the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) have taken a significant step in unifying their efforts by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This landmark move solidifies a long-standing informal relationship, setting the stage for greater industry collaboration and influence.
A Strategic Alliance for a Stronger Industry
The MOA signifies a commitment from both organisations to work together strategically in addressing critical industry issues. By aligning their efforts, NADA and SAVRALA are poised to enhance their engagement with key stakeholders, including government and financial institutions.
“There are so many common areas that NADA and SAVRALA focus on, but until now, we’ve tackled them separately. This agreement changes that,” says Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of NADA. “By working together, we become stronger in our engagements. Road safety, legislation, salvage, and insurance are just a few of the areas where our industries intersect, and by formalising our partnership, we can drive greater impact together.”
SAVRALA has played a crucial role in the automotive sector for years, with its members sourcing vehicles directly from manufacturers and dealers. The collaboration with NADA ensures a more structured approach to tackling industry challenges and opportunities.
“Our members source their vehicles both directly from manufacturers and through the dealer network, so our relationship with NADA has always been key,” says Sandile Ntseoane, General Manager of SAVRALA. “We’ve worked together for many years, engaging with government and negotiating key industry concerns. However, this has always been informal. Now, with a structured and strategic approach, we can formally align on key industry issues and maximise our collective influence.”
Enhancing Advocacy and Industry Leadership
The formalisation of this partnership aligns seamlessly with the strategic vision of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), which aims to lead the automotive sector through a proactive and structured approach. By strengthening their alliance, NADA and SAVRALA will bolster their joint research, advocacy, and policy engagement, ensuring their collective voice is heard and their interests are effectively represented.
“This is an exciting and long-overdue development,” says Ipeleng Mabusela, RMI CEO of Strategy and Corporate Support. “Our engagements last year laid the foundation for this structured and formal approach. From an RMI perspective, this agreement aligns perfectly with our strategy to lead the industry. Through joint thinking, research, advocacy, and sector strategy development, we don’t just engage with government and key stakeholders—we lead them. This partnership between two great organisations is a major step forward in ensuring the industry has a unified, strong voice.”
A Unified Voice for Greater Impact
From a business perspective, this cooperation makes absolute sense. SAVRALA plays a pivotal role in the South African economy, and when combined with RMI’s substantial influence in the aftermarket—contributing approximately 2% to GDP—the collective strength of these organisations will provide a formidable presence in policy discussions. This collaboration ensures that they can engage government and industry stakeholders with a unified position, reinforcing their ability to shape policy and industry direction.
The signing of the MOA is a long-overdue step in cementing the synergy between NADA and SAVRALA. By working together in a structured and formal manner, both organisations are now in a position to lead the sector with a stronger, more cohesive approach—benefiting the industry, the economy, and ultimately, South African consumers.
