MOTOR INDUSTRY. Black days ahead for buyers.

Byline: David Furlonger

MOTOR INDUSTRY.

Black days ahead for buyers The industry is going through a new period of uncertainty WHAT IT MEANS.

Car price increases of at least 10% in 2009.

Six months more to define policy details.

Increases don't come close to recovering costs but we can't just pass on the difference MIKE WHITFIELD The ANC's preoccupation with party political issues is causing frustration among multinational motor companies invested in SA. German carmaker BMW has once again had to postpone a final decision on whether to build the next 3-Series in SA for export, and other companies say they are concerned.

BMW group chairman Norbert Reit-hofer told the FM in September that the group's management board in Munich would decide on its SA investment within two weeks. That was after former president Thabo Mbeki and trade & industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa promised a memorandum of understanding confirming terms of the new automotive production & development programme (APDP), which will replace the motor industry development programme (MIDP) in 2013.

However, the sacking of Mbeki and government's …