MANY EVENTS PLANNED FOR EXPO CENTRE DURING AUTOMECHANIKA SA

Several organisations are taking advantage of the Automechanika South Africa trade fair, which takes place at Expo Centre from March 18-21, to stage their own conferences, workshops and presentations.

One of the most important of these is the RMI’s conference on opening day, March 18. The organisation has arranged an excellent line-up of speakers to address “Survival in these Times: An industry Perspective”. Included are Nedbank Economist Nicky Weimar, scenario planner Clem Sunter, McCarthy Motor Holdings’ CEO, Brand Pretorius, NAACAM CEO, Stewart Jennings, body repair and spray painting expert Ian Groat, Guy Harris, RMI Road Safety’s Petro Kruger and the RMI’s president, Mrs. Ferose Oaten.

In addition, the RMI-affiliated Tyre Dealer and Fitment Association is staging a Roadshow on March 19, with the guest speaker being Frans Cronje of the SA Institute of Race Relations.

More information on the RMI events can be obtained from Claire Paterson, National Communications Director, RMI. Tel: 011-886-6300
Cell: 082-443-9226 e-mail: claire.patterson@rmi.org.za or on the RMI website www.rmi.org.za

The Automotive Industry Development Centre will hold a workshop on Friday, March 20 to draw up an action plan following the massive retrenchments in the automotive industry recently, as well as the expected further reduction in the workforce in the future..

More information on the meeting can be obtained from the AIDC’s Fayaz Sacoor at Tel: 012-564-5250 fsacoor@aidc.co.za

Another important event during Automechanika SA will be the presentation of KPMG’s 2009 global survey of automotive executives. The presentation will take place during a breakfast at Expo Centre (07:15 for 08:00) on March 20.

The worldwide KPMG survey has been conducted annually since 1999, with KPMG South Africa having arranged presentations locally since 2002. Next year’s survey results will undoubtedly be the most important to date as the world automotive industry faces the biggest challenges to its survival in history.

KPMG has expanded the reach of its authoritative survey this year, adding 12 additional countries to the original list. Executives from the following countries were interviewed: Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Top issues in the 2009 survey findings will be: product quality, global economy, reducing costs, new technologies and new products.

Further information on the KPMG presentation can be obtained from Gavin Maile, KPMG Automotive Industry Leader at +27 11 647 7165 or gavin.maile@kpmg.co.za