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
Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) says it embraces diversity by promoting the inclusion of women in an industry that was historically male dominated.
In the past, women have faced barriers and stereotypes that hindered them reaching their full potential, especially in science, technology and engineering disciplines. However, as awareness and efforts to promote gender equality have grown, the automotive sector has experienced growth in women occupying previously male dominated roles.
Russell Coleman, VWSA Human Resources Director, says there are visibly more female artisans, technicians and engineers entering the job market. “Volkswagen is committed to include more women across all divisions of the company, and we are experiencing noteworthy progress on this front,” he says.
Russell says that the global automotive group regards diversity and inclusion as a central foundation for the economic success of the company, and VWSA subscribes to the same views. “We continue to develop and train young women to ensure a substantial skills base. Similarly, we give female operators the opportunity to further their training and qualifications through the Volkswagen Learning Academy,” he added.
Moreover, Russell says women are treated equally within the organisation. Last year, VWSA appointed Martina Biene as the Managing Director and Chairperson of the board, the first ever female to be appointed in this position in South Africa. “By fostering an inclusive environment that values and supports the talent of women, we can harness the untapped potential of a diverse workforce, driving innovation and creating a better future for all,” he says.
VWSA further extends its commitment to women empowerment and development into the community. The Train4Life programme, which runs in schools, is a VWSA education and sports initiative that features an U15 girls' soccer tournament, and a comprehensive life skills programme designed to empower and upskill Grade 8 female learners.
The initiative, which combines soccer training and life skill lessons, aims to unlock the potential of young women and encourage them to aspire to greatness. To date, this programme has supported close to 10 000 Grade 8 female learners from various schools in Tembisa and Alexandra in Gauteng and continues to be rolled out in other areas.
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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