The South African vehicle industry ended 2005 on an all-time high and corks could be heard popping from sparkling wine bottles all over the country when the consolidated sales results were announced in early January. But one market segment record - annual truck sales - remains intact...

The fuel crisis in December did nobody any favours, least of all the often-criticised petroleum industry. Critically, the fuel shortage came at the time South Africa was preparing to host holidaymakers from all over the world.

The "price fixing" scandal in the South African motor industry surfaced again late in 2005 and continued into early 2006. The Competition Tribunal slapped "administrative penalties" totaling R39,65-million on seven motor manufacturers, importers and dealers following long, drawn-out investigations.

The latest pronouncements against the South African motor industry by the Competition Commission once again makes claims of "excessive pricing" of local models compared with the prices of similar models in EU countries and the UK.

The United States motor industry is in crisis, in spite of one of the better sales years in recent times.

Massive investments will be needed by the automotive component supply industry in South Africa if they aim to remain competitive in the face of growing global competition.

Sales of motorcycles and quads also reflected growth in 2005 and broke the 40 000 unit barrier for the first time since 1983 with a 38,2 per cent increase to 41 662 units.

The Gautrain project continues to elicit controversial comment. This includes many suggestions of alternatives to solve the province's transport bottlenecks.