Abstract
Due to growing environmental concerns, the need for recovery of returned vehicles has been
receiving more attention than ever before. Yet, not many automobile manufacturers have a
satisfactory reverse logistics system for recovering and re-using returned vehicles. The purpose of
this article was to explore challenges associated with the implementation of green logistics for
end-of-life vehicles in the automotive industry in South Africa and to provide insight into how
these challenges can be overcome. This article reported findings of a qualitative study involving
interviews with 12 participants from four automotive companies in South Africa. Purposive
sampling techniques were used. Five themes emerged from the primary data collection, all of
which were identified as key challenges in the implementation of green logistics in the automotive
industry. From the findings, these challenges include lack of collaboration, knowledge sharing and
standardised application of reverse logistics processes; lack of strict adherence to environmental
policies; failure of consequence management for non-compliance; absence of clear policy and
legislative direction; perception around the cost of implementing reverse logistics; and inadequacy
of leadership. On the basis of the literature reviewed and empirical findings, conclusions were
drawn and recommendations accordingly made.