The final event of the 2024 CEO Breakfast series took place onrecently at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg, marking the opening day of the 2024 editions of Automechanika Johannesburg and Futuroad Expo.
The event, led by Andile Africa, CEO of the Automotive Industry Development Centre, began with an opening address from Michael Johannes, Vice President of Mobility and Logistics at Messe Frankfurt.
Johannes spoke about the rapidly evolving automotive aftermarket sector and the critical role that Automechanika plays in keeping the industry at the forefront of technological advancements. He emphasized the need for ongoing training and education, ensuring that industry professionals stay ahead of innovations in products, technologies, and systems.
Duncan Mutengwe, Acting CEO of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), provided a comprehensive overview of compliance in the automotive sector. He highlighted the importance of adhering to international safety standards as the industry embraces new technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced safety systems like automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance.
Mutengwe also discussed the future of autonomous driving, noting that this emerging trend will necessitate further safety regulations. He outlined the NRCS's process for ensuring vehicle safety, including manufacturer registration, testing, certification, and final approval.
Victor Radebe, Chief Director of Programme Management in the office of the Gauteng Premier, offered valuable insights into the provincial government's involvement with the automotive and fleet industries.
Radebe emphasized sustainability and innovation as key pillars guiding the government’s policy decisions. He highlighted the collaboration between Uber and Chinese automaker BYD to deploy 100 000 electric vehicles, showcasing the potential of industry partnerships to drive the future of EV adoption. He also pointed out that fleet managers will need to rethink their strategies, as electric vehicles are transforming fleet management into a data-driven, IoT-based model.
Greg Cress, Principal Director of Automotive and eMobility at Accenture South Africa, addressed the growing pressure on fleet managers to adapt to decarbonisation and the rise of electric vehicles. Drawing from an Accenture survey of 450 senior fleet managers worldwide, Cress outlined five strategies for successfully transitioning fleets to electric vehicles.
These included accepting the uncertainty of the business case, aligning leadership with decarbonisation goals, and piloting EV programs to overcome hesitation. He stressed the importance of convincing management boards of the financial viability of decarbonisation and recommended focusing on fleet electrification, conducting feasibility studies, and leveraging EV data to improve efficiencies.
Lunga Qegu, Head of Sales Development at Investec for Business, spoke on the positive economic trends emerging in South Africa, particularly the growth of the EV sector. He shared how Investec is assisting businesses with operational efficiency, highlighting the bank's expertise in importation and freight forwarding. Qegu also noted a noticeable increase in the importation of battery and electrical technology, indicating the continued growth of the sector and a broader move toward decarbonisation.
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