REPLY MAHLANGU
TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
The design of an automotive assembly facility in Pretoria. An automobile
assembly plant that is suitable for the South African context.
The South African automotive industry generates
over R100 billion annually and contributes to 6% of the
country’s GDP. However, the industry does not consist
of any locally owned car makers due to the financial
burden of entering the sector. All of the assembly
plants in South Africa are designed according to an
international standard in order to fulfil an international
demand. Each of these typical mechanised facilities
costs billions to establish and they are specifically
designed for manufacturing. Investors stand to lose
74
billions if the company fails to sell the cars. The aim
of this project is to lower the stakes by designing a
smaller assembly plant that can later be retrofitted to
perform other functions (office building, retail outlet or
even student accommodation) beyond manufacturing
cars. This urban located multi-storey assembly plant
will encourage rental opportunities while responding
to the unemployment challenges of the country by
using labour to offset the massive capital required for
a complete mechanisation.
Student Awards