"If we don't nurture South Africa's automotive industry, we will see it decline," warned Alfred da Costa, chairman of the SAAW Working Group.
The conference comes at a time of increasing competition from countries in the former Eastern Europe, Turkey, North Africa, China and India.
In the face of this, "we have to work hard at retaining and growing the industry," said Da Costa.
"The industry certainly faces challenges. Every time an original equipment manufacturer announces that it will be producing a new model locally we breathe a sigh of relief," added Roger Pitot, executive director of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naacam).
SAAW is the only auto industry event in 2012 to be supported by all the main automotive organisations - Naacam, the AIDC, the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), and the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).
One of the keynote speakers at the conference is Naamsa president and MD of Volkswagen South Africa, David Powels.
The conference is expected to be attended by over 300 leading automotive executives and government policy decision makers. It is centred around a 10 000 square metre components industry expo.
"It is being held at a pivotal time in the South African industry's history, with the Motor Industry Development Programme making way for the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP), which ushers a new era for the automotive sector," said Lance Schultz of the AIDC Eastern Cape.
Other speakers at the "Keys to unlocking automotive growth ... Securing the automotive sector's high road" conference include: strategist Clem Sunter; Dr Martin Zimmermann, MD of Mercedes Benz South Africa; Naacam president Mpueleng Pooe; and MIDP specialist, Dr Anthony Black.
Day one of the interactive conference will be facilitated by Jeremy Maggs. "The conference, which is built around the AIDC's principle of 'for industry by industry' is heavily focussed on dynamic panel discussions, which allow for rigourous debate and interaction from the floor," said Schultz.
Chief technical advisor at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), Arthur David, Dr Raymond Patel of merSETA, Transnet CEO, Brian Molefe, Original Equipment Manufacturer Procurement Council chairman Stefan Haasbroek and Pitot will also contribute to the debate and direction.
Day two will consist primarily of two breakaway streams focussing on Supplier Development, and Supply Chain and Skills Development respectively.
Bookings for the Automotive Industry Conference can be made online at www.saaw.co.za. For more information contact Fred Weatherall-Thomas on +27 (0)41 393 2100, az.oc.cecdia@samoht-llarehtaewf.
