AUTOMECHANIKA JOHANNESBURG CEO BREAKFAST, A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
The final CEO breakfast for the year, hosted by the Automechanika Johannesburg team, was held recently at Gallagher Conference Centre in Midrand. It was attended by industry movers and shakers in the aftermarket business of South Africa.
Keynote speaker and futurist Andrew Marsh, unveiled an all-new world of global activity in various world markets. Among them was a revelation that the world is fast waking up to the demands of legislators in environmental, social and governments against the world’s vehicle makers and it’s not a goal that is attainable in the timeframe and definitely not for the bottom line of business.
Things are not going to plan as various big name legacy manufacturers are openly saying that many of the mandated demands are totally unachievable from a business perspective in today’s market where the whole topsy turvey future is unclear. Companies who lead the way in marketing the world as a greener place to live in with newly developed proactive ideas, may just have pushed the economical and sanity boat out just a bit too far.
A pushback in some markets against battery electric vehicles (BEV) is being seen. All this plus the ruthless Chinese global attempt to gain global vehicle dominance, at all costs, to the new world of zero tail pipe emissions. Common sense seems to be a prevailing influence today and the world of internal combustion engines is making a comeback along with new hybrid technologies in development and refinement.
However, the future will remain fragmented, complex and full of danger on the future road to sustainability for all concerned in the business of mobility.
Other topics covered by speakers was township development projects, the geo-political effect on the local motor industry as well as compliance and industry standards.
It was rather disheartening at times to hear old ideology and perhaps misconceived ideas being repeated. It was clear that some of the speakers were happy to regurgitate and read their presentations without proper understanding of the authority their post holds and the difference they could truly make by taking a positive interest and thinking outside of the box.
Story by Claire Macfie
Pics by Ian and Jay Groat
