The webinars are aimed at sharing insights with those in the automotive and related industries concerning the latest innovations in technology, changes in regulation and policy, and challenges and opportunities across the sector.

In partnership with Absa Bank and organised by Messe Frankfurt SA, the third webinar in the series is scheduled for 14:00 on 22 February 2022 and will focus on the evolution of the automotive retail sector, exploring the future role of dealerships and the shift towards digital retailing.

The emergence and adoption of digital technologies have created consumer demand for customised solutions. Consequently, the automotive retail landscape is faced with a transition from physical dealerships toward digital retailing, whilst grappling with the relationship between the two. The webinar will delve deeper and discuss these changes and how the industry, and consumers, can best adapt to them.

“We are excited about this upcoming webinar and confident that our audience will gain valuable industry information on the impact of these trends on dealers and other companies in the automotive retail sector,” says Tracy Gounden, Portfolio Director at Messe Frankfurt SA. “We are honoured to have Absa as our partner in this series and for their contribution in developing the content and theme for each webinar.”

The line-up of speakers for this webinar includes some of the industry’s top experts such as:

• Thami Letsoalo, Manager Business Development Retail Sector & Franchise, Absa Bank, change to Business Development Manager: Automotive Sector - Absa

• George Mienie, CEO of Autotrader

• Henry Botha, Head: Strategy & Business Analytics Absa Secured Lending – (Vehicle Finance and Home Loans)

• Mark Dommisse, National Chairperson: National Automobile Dealers Association

“The Let’s Talk Business webinar series offers key trends and insights enabling industry players to make informed decisions to ensure their businesses remain relevant and respond to evolving consumer needs,” says Thami Letsoalo, Automotive Sector Specialist at Absa.

“At Absa we are committed to forging partnerships such as ours with Messe Frankfurt South Africa, to support progress towards building a strong automotive industry and aid the adoption of digital innovations.”

Messe Frankfurt SA and Absa have two more ‘Let’s Talk Business’ webinars scheduled in the build up to Automechanika Johannesburg, which is scheduled to take place between the 7-10 June 2022 at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

For more information, or to register for the webinar, please visit the Automechanika website at www.automechanika.za.messefrankfurt.com or contact Amukelani Mathebula at Amukelani.Mathebula@za.messefrankfurt.com