A Bit of AA History

The AA was formed in 1930 after the end of the Federation of Automobile Clubs. Its primary aim was tackling motoring issues of national and macro-economic importance. Almost 80 years later, we're still championing the needs of the motoring public.

Our range of motoring services has grown extensively. We now offer members roadside assistance, technical advice, motor-related legal advice, finance and insurance, driver training, as well as exclusive travel packages and travel advice.

From 1938 to 1948, the AA lobbied for control and pricing of petrol, national motoring regulation, and the establishment of an oil pipeline to supply the Reef.
1963 - After a long battle with the South African railways, an oil pipeline was finally established. Without the great efforts of the AA, this would never have been accomplished so soon
1965 - In just a decade, the AA grew from 100 000 to 250 000 Members.
1978 - The AA began studies into fuel consumption and alternative fuel, and played a massive part in the mandatory adoption of the seatbelt.
1980 - AA Membership rocketed to 675 000.
2000 - AA Club Assist Battery Services and the AA National Call Centre were launched.
2006 - The AA opens a separate operations building in Midrand in April and started our own towing fleet in June the same year. The AA Technical Training Academy was opened in Johannesburg.
2007 - The AA Battery Services started its own fleet of battery service vehicles and the Cape Town based AA Technical Training Academy was established. A separate Legal and Technical Call Centre advice service was established. The AA also hosted the very first FIA conference held outside Europe.
2008 - In July Karen Bryden became the first female Managing Director of the AA. The AA's Inbound Travel division was launched. In August we acquired 24 extra tow trucks of which one has the capacity to tow and carry bigger vehicles such as trucks. September we go into an alliance with BP South Africa. The AA also implements a mobile money collection device for our battery services so that Members can pay for their new batteries on the spot.
2009 - January saw our service including Bloemfontein. March we launched our first motorbike fleet in Gauteng. Another operational site was opened that hosts 40% of the AA's fleet, reducing travel times and fuel costs. August saw the AA open an in-house maintenance workshop. 23 Super Hybrid Patrols were trained and in towing, battery services and patrol services and their services extended to Gauteng, Polokwane, Nelspruit, Port Elisabeth, Stellenbosch, Rustenburg and Pietermaritzburg.
2010 - The AA celebrates its 80th brithday. In January the first female Road Patrol and Tow-truck dirver was employed.  February saw the new-design website being launched. The AA launches an online travel booking engine, assisting Members with a 24/7 online travel planning and booking facility and also invests in a state-of-the-art customer relationship management system, Nova in March. The 100th AA board meeting was also held in March.