AUKUS Forum’s Post

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 20, 2023/ -- Stellantis MEA COO Cherfan and SA Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition Patel shake hands on a new manufacturing plant in South Africa; Rapid progress has been made since the MOU signing in March 2023 with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic); this bold initiative reinforces Stellantis MEA Region’s Dare Forward 2030 ambition to sell one million #vehicles by 2030 with 70% regional production autonomy. Stellantis has confirmed its intention to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega in South Africa with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). Minister Ebrahim Patel, senior officials from the IDC and Mr. Samir Cherfan, Stellantis Middle East and Africa Chief Operating Officer met at the Parliament Buildings in Cape Town to agree on investment in the South African motor industry. “It is a wonderful day for all South Africans when a global company of Stellantis’ proportions decides to expand its manufacturing footprint in South Africa, to assemble completely knocked down units,” said Mr. Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. “South Africa currently has the capacity to produce close to 700 000 vehicles annually. This will add considerable additional capacity, just as we prepare to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area. The country remains a great investment destination and this commitment from Stellantis to invest in our local motor industry highlights the success of our manufacturing sector policy, its capability and potential. We look forward to welcoming Stellantis to South Africa and sharing in the detailed plan for employment and investment”. “We are delighted with the speed at which we are progressing on this project, thanks to the commitment of Minister Patel and the great collaboration with IDC, CDC and dtic teams,” commented Samir Cherfan-Chief Operating Officer Stellantis Middle East and Africa. “This project reflects our focus and trust in South Africa as one of the most important markets in Africa & Middle East. It is also the execution of our Dare Forward 2030 Strategy to reach over 22% Market Share in the region by 2030 with 70% regional localization of our sales leading to over 1 million units produced. We believe in South Africa and we intend to develop industrially and commercially bringing value to our customers”. The manufacturing plant will be built in the South African Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Coega situated near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The greenfield manufacturing project is planned to complete by the end of 2025. Frontier Africa Reports GBS Africa Governments and Business Services Africa Justina Okechukwu African Business Magazine

We are pleased to announce the following speakers will join the SMMT International Automotive Summit’s panel sessions: - Peter Ahrens, Managing Director, DAF - Leyland Trucks - Chris Barton CMG, HM Trade Commissioner for Europe, Department for Business and Trade - Alan Beattie, Senior Trade Writer, Financial Times - Mandy Dean, Director, Commercial Vehicles, Ford Motor Company - Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer, Wrightbus - John M Neill CBE, Executive Chairman, Unipart Group - Dr. Chris Pateman-Jones, Chair, ChargeUK - Chris Pritchett, Commercial Energy and Mobility Lawyer, Shoosmiths - Judith Richardson, Global Supply Chain Director, JLR - Gerry Ross, Head of Commercial Motor – Allianz, & Chair of the ABI Motor Committee To view the agenda for the day, please click here: https://lnkd.in/e-J9ZqDt The SMMT Summit will take place on Tuesday 25 June at the IET London and it will attract an audience of over 300 senior level representatives from throughout the industry, government and the media. If you have any questions about the event, or partnership opportunities, or would like to register, please contact smmtsummit@smmt.co.uk. A big thank you to our event partners: Auto Trader UK DHL Supply Chain Pinsent Masons Shoosmiths #SMMTSummit #competitiveness #electricvehicles #EnergyTransition #automotive #ukautomotiveindustry #globalmarket #electrification #zeroemission #netzero #technology #innovation #people #skills Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

Register now for the SMMT International Automotive Summit: 💬 “a truly excellent and informative event”! - what attendees from last year’s edition have said - 💬“The ‘must attend’ event for all automotive industry professionals”. The #SMMTSummit 2024 – will take place at the IET in central London on Tuesday 25 June.   Now entering its sixteen years, the SMMT Summit will bring together more than 300 top-level representatives from across the breadth of the industry, government, and both national and international media for a day-long conference. There will be keynote speeches from the Financial Times's Economics Editor, Chris Giles, and Anna Westerberg, President of Volvo Buses; as well as keynote discussions with Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive Ltd, and Professor Anand Menon, Director of UK in a Changing Europe.    The topics, latest speaker lineup, and timings for the day can be viewed here: https://shorturl.at/tzEIU   We anticipate that the event will be fully subscribed. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so please ensure you register as soon as possible. For information on tickets, exhibition opportunities, and partnership opportunities, please contact smmtsummit@smmt.co.uk or visit https://lnkd.in/dzjCJEwP A big thank you to all our event partners: Auto Trader UK DHL Supply Chain MarketsandMarkets™ Pinsent Masons Shoosmiths Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) #SMMTSummit #competitiveness #electricvehicles #EnergyTransition #automotive #ukautomotiveindustry #globalmarket #electrification #zeroemission #netzero #technology #innovation #people #skills 

Asia Report

Yesterday, Masashi Yamasaki represented the Japan Auto-ISAC as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the J-Auto-ISAC and the Auto-ISAC was signed. We are looking forward to continuing to work together discussing the importance of information sharing in the automotive industry. The Auto-ISAC Japan Working Group (JWG) Chair, Stephen McFarland and Vice-Chair David Pyun joined the Auto-ISAC Executive Director, Faye Francy to commemorate this exciting moment. The goal of the JWG is to lead, contribute to, and advocate for Auto-ISAC programs that benefit Japanese member companies and Japanese operations of Auto-ISAC member companies. It also works to develop mutually beneficial information sharing practices with appropriate partner groups in Japan, including Japan Auto-ISAC and other similar organizations. #2023AutoISACCyberSummit

If not all, most #ISAs and #IJVs experience some sort of time differences. How do partners' similar as well as dissimilar perspectives about time can engender friction or enrichment? In my latest article with Fabrice Lumineau and Africa Ariño we offer preliminary insights about this important issue for everyone interested in doing business across borders. Open access: https://lnkd.in/ddsi8mJM

This month in #automotive , I covered for the Economist Intelligence: EIU the rise of the far right in the #EU, #automakers joining forces for future product development and greater regulatory scrutiny facing #selfdriving cars in California. https://lnkd.in/din_hdJp

There are two weeks left until the 2024 SMMT International Automotive Summit, which will take place on Tuesday 25 June at the IET London.     The agenda for the one-day conference will give a leadership perspective on critical industry topics - zero emission vehicle uptake and manufacture, international trade, and ESG as well as an analysis of the political landscape, given the event takes place a few days before the General Election.    The programme features over 20 speakers: Michael Leiters, McLaren Automotive Ltd Prof Anand Menon, UK in a Changing Europe David Moss, Nissan Motor Corporation Anna Westerberg, Volvo Buses Chris Giles, Financial Times Sigrid de Vries, European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) Gerry Ross, Allianz, & ABI Motor Committee Erin Baker, Auto Trader UK Vicky Read, ChargeUK Jonathan Atkinson, Cummins Inc. Sam Cooper, Enso  Alan Beattie, Financial Times Ashley Andrews, Hyundai Motor Company (현대자동차) & Genesis Motor Europe  Reuben Chorley, JLR Peter Ahrens, DAF - Leyland Trucks Sarwant Singh, MarketsandMarkets™  James Crask, Marsh Laura Ayre, Pinsent Masons  Chris Pritchett, Shoosmiths  Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus Alex Smith, Volkswagen Group The #SMMTSummit will attract an audience of over 300 senior level representatives from throughout the industry, government and the media.  There has been a strong uptake of tickets, and we expect the event to be fully subscribed. To register now, please email smmtsummit@smmt.co.uk or visit https://lnkd.in/eERCK9Ar #SMMTSummit #competitiveness #electricvehicles #EnergyTransition #automotive #ukautomotiveindustry #globalmarket #electrification #zeroemission #netzero #technology #innovation #people #skills

While free and fair trade agreements are essential for creating the right conditions for Britain to be competitive, businesses can be proactive in forming mutually beneficial partnerships and SMMT will advance that objective, with two UK overseas pavilions this Spring – visiting Future Mobility Asia, Bangkok and Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City. The Thailand delegation is now full but there are limited places for members to join our exhibition in Vietnam, providing attractive business opportunities in what is a fast-emerging auto market and production location in South East Asia. For more information, contact SMMT’s International team.   Finally, back in the UK, SMMT’s 16th International Automotive Summit in June will bring together the best minds to discuss the key issues facing our industry and how we can overcome them – from net zero and self-driving vehicles to global competitiveness and technological innovation. We’re pleased to announce Chris Giles, Economics Editor at the Financial Times, will be back by popular demand to provide his latest global and domestic economic outlook and an advanced analysis of the auto sector. As one of the most high-profile events in the industry calendar, it’s an event not to be missed and you can book your ticket via the SMMT website: https://lnkd.in/ewj_sGV9   More in this week’s Update: https://lnkd.in/eSfxUJ9Q

The beginning of July also marks the beginning of a new presidency of the Council of the European Union.    As the Hungarian Presidency to the EU takes on this critical role, here are five automotive facts on Hungary:    🏡 Hungary is home to 7 automotive plants   🚙 Over 500,000 cars were manufactured in Hungary last year, making it the seventh-largest EU producer   🚌 Around 1,000 buses were also made here   💶 107,720 cars found new owners in 2023   💡The automotive sector accounts for 12% of manufacturing jobs in Hungary, giving it the fifth-largest share in the EU #HU24EU