Triton brings the challenge to competitors
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
- Product News
- 21 November 2024
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…
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
JAC Motors added ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to its X200 2.8L TDI 1.5-tonne single-cab, enhancing safety for both the crew and cargo. This latest upgrade complements the ABS-equipped X200 1.3-tonne double-cab targeted at organisations with labour-intensive crews.
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