Industry organisation naamsa | The Automotive Business Council elected a new board on August 24, with Isuzu Southern Africa CEO Billy Tom as its president.

naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa was elected excutive director, BMW Group South Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen manufacturing original-equipment manufacturers (OEM) VP, Mitsubishi South Africa MD Thato Magasa retailing OEM VP and MAN Automotive MD Jan Aichnger medium and heavy commercial OEM VP.

“All the newly elected leaders, without exception, bring considerable wealth of expertise and experience. They will help drive the industry’s continued growth and success, particularly at this time when the industry is undergoing unprecedented levels of technological transformation and innovative adaptation, backed by new energy vehicles (NEVs) and cleaner and safer vehicle technologies and fuels,” says Mabasa.

He adds that this is a crossroads year for the industry and that the opportunity cost of finalising the NEV policy and the vehicle compulsory standard development regulations are considerable because both these policies are critical for giving South Africa a chance at being a production destination of choice.

“The automotive industry has faced severe challenges over the years, including supply chain challenges, Covid-19-related disruptions, semiconductor shortages, domestic floods, and high inflation affecting the cost of production and consumers' buying power,” he adds.

“Our newly elected board has a mammoth task of leading the broader automotive industry in dealing with many of the economic shocks confronting our domestic economy, with lagging effects that will continue to be felt.

“We are confident that the board will support the South African business fraternity and government in addressing policy, legislation and regulation matters to assist in harnessing the operating environment in favour of business,” Mabasa says.