Boosting automotive industry competitiveness and sustainability
INDUSTRY NEWS
Leaders
Maxion Wheels( www. maxionwheels. com), the world ' s leading producer and supplier of wheels for passenger and commercial vehicles, and Terra Firma( www. terrafirma. africa), South Africa ' s leading commercial and industrial solar and storage solutions provider, have announced the activation of a 2.9 MWp solar project that now powers Maxion ' s manufacturing plant located in Johannesburg.
Gauteng facility of the World ' s leading wheel manufacturer is now solar-powered
The 60th-anniversary celebration at Maxion Wheels South Africa also marked the energization of their new solar installation. This carport and ground-mount system will meet approximately 20 % of the facility ' s annual energy demands, thereby reducing Maxion ' s dependence on the national grid and offering protection against rising energy tariffs. Furthermore, it is projected to decrease greenhouse gas( GHG) emissions by around 5,100 tonnes annually.
A second phase, involving additional rooftop solar capacity, is planned for completion in the first quarter of 2026. There is also the potential for integrating a Battery Energy Storage System( BESS) for energy arbitrage and backup power.
Boosting automotive industry competitiveness and sustainability
South Africa ' s automotive industry, a significant contributor to the nation ' s GDP at 5.3 % and a supporter of over 500,000 jobs, faces increasing pressure from global trade barriers, heightened competition, and decarbonisation mandates. For manufacturers like Maxion Wheels, where electricity constitutes a major input cost due to energy-intensive processes, efficient energy management is crucial for sustaining competitiveness. Solar power presents an accessible solution, empowering manufacturers to lower and control costs, enhance resilience, and mitigate their environmental impact.
Focus on engineering precision Maxion Wheels, the global leader in steel and aluminum wheel manufacturing, produces approximately 50 million wheels annually across 31 locations on five continents. Their Johannesburg plant specializes in high-precision aluminum wheels for major automotive OEM customers in South Africa.
Continuous uptime is critical for Maxion ' s intensive industrial processes, with the plant relying on extensive, round-the-clock machinery including robots, integrated foundry systems, and automated conveyor networks.
Terra Firma was tasked with ensuring an uninterrupted power supply for the solar project, while also adhering to strict health, safety, and operational standards throughout its deployment.
Under a comprehensive multi-year Power Purchase Agreement( PPA), Terra Firma developed, designed, engineered, and installed the project, and will manage and maintain it for its entire lifetime. This PPA delivery model offers the benefits of solar power, including reduced costs and GHG emissions, without the capital expenditures or risks typically associated with ownership.
" Celebrating 60 years of manufacturing excellence, Maxion Wheels South Africa is also looking to the future, strengthening its leadership and resilience for decades to come," stated Milos Despotovic, Managing Director, Maxion Wheels South Africa.
" A significant milestone in our Roadmap Zero strategy towards net-zero emissions by 2040, the integration of renewable energy into our operations reinforces our position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing."
Grant Berndsen, CEO of Terra Firma, expressed gratitude to Maxion Wheels for partnering with them on this energy project. He emphasized their collaborative effort in showcasing how solar power can enhance long-term sustainability, resilience, and global competitiveness within South Africa ' s automotive manufacturing sector.
WORDS IN ACTION 4 OCTOBER 2025