US car maker General Motors (GM) announced on Tuesday that it was consolidating its sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa operations into a new unit, GM Africa, effective immediately.

Mario Spangenberg, currently president and MD of GM North Africa, would become president and MD of GM Africa. He would be based at GM Africa’s headquarters in Port Elizabeth. Here he would also be responsible for GM South Africa (GMSA).

Tarek Atta will become MD of GM Egypt and North Africa, reporting to Spangenberg.

Edgar Lourençon, who has served as MD of GM South Africa (GMSA) and president of GM sub-Saharan Africa since November 2009, would assist in the transition and repatriate to South America later this year, said GM. Here Lourençon would report to Mark Barnes, GM International Operations (GMIO) sales, marketing and aftersales VP, as well as chief country operations officer for Africa and Australia.

“Bringing our operations in Africa together will enable us to take advantage of synergies across the continent,” said GM global manufacturing VP Tim Lee, who also served as GMIO president. “It will put GM in a strong position to expand in a part of the world that has tremendous long-term potential for vehicle sales growth.”

GM does business in more than 50 markets in Africa, and has manufacturing operations in South Africa, Egypt and Kenya. In 2012, the US manufacturer sold 180 493 vehicles in Africa, an increase of 17.5% from the previous year.

“We are pleased to have Mario, a proven leader and an agent of change, overseeing our Africa operations,” commented Barnes. “He has done an outstanding job growing GM’s business in North Africa, despite intense political and economic challenges.”

Spangenberg had been in his present position since July 1, 2011. He was a former sales operations director for GM de Mexico, MD of international sales for GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, in South Korea, and marketing director for Adam Opel, in Germany. He began his industry career in 1980 at Volkswagen.

“We thank Edgar for strengthening our operations in sub-Saharan Africa,” noted Lee. “In the short term, with his background and expertise, we will look for Edgar to provide his leadership in two critical areas – overseeing the launch of our new pickup in South Africa and further strengthening the Isuzu relationship."