By Otsile Kadiege

Naamsa – Automotive Business Council – recently announced the new board of directors which includes the first-ever black president – Mr. Billy Tom – during the organisation’s Annual General Assembly. The election of Mr. Tom as naamsa’s first black president is significant and practical proof that the auto industry in South Africa has embraced transformation and is now embedding it within its ranks.

“Billy is not the only black leader on the naamsa Board, we now have three black leaders out of the six positions we have on the naamsa Board. “All the newly elected leaders, without exception bring considerable wealth of expertise and experience. They will undoubtedly drive the industry’s continued growth and success, particularly at this time when the industry is undergoing unprecedented levels of technological transformation and innovative adaptation backed by new energy vehicles and cleaner and safer vehicle technologies and fuels”, said Mikel Mabasa, the naamsa CEO.

The newly elected naamsa Board of Directors is as follows:

naamsa President:

Mr. Billy Tom,

CEO Isuzu Southern Africa

Vice President: Manufacturing OEMs:

Mr. Peter Van Binsbergen,

CEO BMW Group South Africa

Vice President: Retailing OEMs:

Mr. Thato Magasa,

Managing Director Mitsubishi South Africa

Vice President: Medium and Heavy Commercial OEMs:

Mr. Jan Aichnger,

Managing Director: MAN Automotive

Immediate Past President:

Mr. Neale Hill,

President and CEO: Ford Southern Africa

Executive Director:

Mr. Mikel Mabasa,

naamsa CEO