Volvo Car South Africa announced the appointment of Vusi Machie as its new Product & Pricing Manager.
The highly educated product-strategy specialist will be bringing vast industry experience to this crucial role, says the company.
Vusi is responsible for the management of the broader Volvo Cars product portfolio in South Africa as well as the introduction of new models, while also playing a key part in the Swedish luxury automaker’s overall market positioning and pricing strategy.
Boasting more than 13 years of career experience working across three major mainstream automotive brands, his widespread exposure to various company cultures – from the “finesse of the Germans” to the “attention to detail of the Japanese”, in his words – stands him in good stead as he sets about ensuring Volvo Car SA offers the right product to local buyers.
Born in Secunda, Vusi spent much of his childhood in KwaNdebele before commencing a tertiary education journey that continues to the present day. Despite already holding several qualifications in the field of finance, he is currently studying further to obtain a Master of Accounting Sciences degree from Unisa, as he believes, “We stop growing and improving as people when we stop learning.”
Though he has spent time in the finance and banking industries, he says he has “had a passion for cars since childhood”, explaining he was “always intrigued” by what made buyers choose one brand or vehicle over another.
With many exciting new products in the pipeline, Vusi hopes to help draw new customers to the Volvo brand, while also accelerating the adoption and accessibility of battery electric vehicles in South Africa and on the continent at large.
“The automotive industry is changing fast, and one of the most significant of these changes is the shift towards electrification. A major part of my role will entail ensuring Volvo continues to offer a comprehensive and increasingly competitive line-up of electrified vehicles that caters to all customer needs,” he says.
By 2025, Volvo plans for half of its global sales volume to comprise fully electric cars, with the remainder taking the form of hybrids. By 2030, the Swedish luxury firm aims for every new vehicle it sells around the world to be completely electric, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to a zero-emission future.
What can we expect in South Africa in this regard? Well, Vusi says more innovative fully electric vehicles are indeed in the country’s “not-too-distant future”. So, watch this space…
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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Wayve, Uber and Nissan announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of robotaxis and commence activities to realize the deployment of robotaxi services.
A Hino 300 714, bought new in 2018 from Pupkewitz Hino in Windhoek, continues to provide reliable service after recording more than a million kilometres traversing a variety of roads in remote, rural areas and urban centres in Namibia.
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