Martin Sander’s Post

5 Car Brands That Have Left South Africa👇 • Many car brands have left South Africa in the last decade. • This is because it's difficult to compete with strong local brands like Toyota and Ford. • The South African economy and challenging business environment make it difficult for international brands. • Some of the brands that left include Daihatsu (2015), Chevrolet (2017), Dodge and Chrysler (2017), and Datsun (2022).

One thing I find important and enjoyable is the regular site visits within the group. There are developments in all five of MEKO's business areas and eight markets, which is engaging to see firsthand. This time around, I visited Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, and I had the great company of MEKO's board members Dominick Zarcone, Helena Skåntorp, Eivor Andersson, Magnus Håkansson and Kenny Brack Bräck and MEKO’s Director of Communications Anders Oxelström. Our days were well spent with a warm welcome from INTER-TEAM Sp. z o.o., and our newest acquisition ELIT Polska. Poland's automotive aftermarket industry holds strong potential due to its skilled workforce, growing vehicle population, competitive labor costs, and strategic position in Europe. With increasing demand for car parts, maintenance, and services, Poland is a key center for distributing automotive parts and products within supply chain. As many countries, Poland is adapting to the electric wave. Even though the number of electric cars on the road isn’t as high as in the Nordic countries, Poland is following the EV trend. By leveraging MEKO’s Nordic expertise in EVs, we aim to lead the way in adapting to the ongoing electric transformation of the automotive industry. This aim also includes positioning ourselves as a key player in the future of sustainable transportation in Poland. Thank you, Piotr Zyśk, and Jaroslaw Chojczak with colleagues, for the site visits and the insights on the automotive aftermarket development in the Polish market. Photo is taken in Elit Polska’s central warehouse in Krakow, Poland. From the left: Kenny Bräck, Sylwia Plichta, Helena Skåntorp, Eivor Andersson, Dominick Zarcone, me (Pehr Oscarson), Dagmara Nyderek, Adam Stryjewski and Marlena Czopek. Behind the camera is Anders Oxelström.  #MEKO #mobility #Poland #automotive #futureoftransport

All good things come in threes. Poland, Portugal in 2023 and now the Baltic countries. We finalized the 3rd phase of our Business Development project in Europe, by the completion of the transfer of #Nissan operations to Bassadone Automotive Nordic Oy in 3 Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. After Poland and Portugal, this 3rd phase was an important milestone for us, in line with our distribution strategy in Europe, for sustainable growth that entails #rationalization of our business as well as #prioritization and focus, to transform the corporation into a leaner and more agile company. This partnership with Bassadone Automotive Nordic Oy will ensure the continued success of the #Nissan business in the Baltic countries, improve market focus and agility, and better serve the needs of the company's customers and retail partners. Thank you Antti Ruhanen and all our teams for the efforts during this project. Now, Independent Markets Team #INSC is in charge of 32 countries with 15 strong partners, reaching the level of 55k+ units in FY23. #Success #Transformation #BusinessDevelopment #Distribution

Here’s how WAI Europe are staying competitive in the European market. Listen to what President of WAI Europe, Richard Welland, has to say in the latest of our Q&A series mar #WAIEurope #ThePowerofWAI #Q&A #Automotive #Aftermarket #meettheteam

My dad told me that nothing comes easy and it's through sheer hard work and differentiated value (providing intensive insights and recommendations) enabling us to bring the GOLD award home for the best measurement and evaluation analysis. #carma #insights #mediaintelligence #recommendation #understandingthewhy

A few weeks to go before we migrate to Portugal. And I’ll be honest, It’s a scary as hell. ↳ Every item we sell off ↳ Every safety net removed This wacky idea is becoming real. - House sold - Our beloved cargo bike (bakfiets) - 90% of our items sold off - Paperwork signed The letting go of every ‘part’ we once ‘thought’ would make us happy. But since co-vid, we realised one thing. No thing or external achievement can bring true happiness. So we bit the bullet and went all in Realising life is too short to waste a day doing what does not light us up. Since then we chose to play big. Go all in. Because a life not experienced, is no life at all. The move to Portugal is a realtime reflection of that. To choose freedom by walking in faith (Heart led) Not by sight (rational mind trap) Trusting that something greater within is guiding us to wholeness in body, mind and soul. Purpose driven. So here’s to following our dreams and giving it a go. What would happen if you let your heart speak?

 Electrifying Return: #ShanghaiEPrix Sets the Stage for #FormulaE's Future in #China  ️  What an exhilarating weekend at the #ShanghaiEPrix double header!   This past weekend #ShanghaiInternationalCircuit was #electrified as the world's top #FormulaE drivers battled in a showcase of speed, strategy, and #cuttingedgetechnology. This year's event delivered high-octane racing and underscored the significance of #sustainability in #motorsport. With a focus on #electricvehicle #innovation and #renewableenergy, the atmosphere was electric, and the excitement was palpable as fans and industry leaders gathered to witness this historic event. A host of leading Chinese vehicle manufacturers, including Xiaomi, BYD, LYNK & CO, Zeekr, and IM Motor, attended as special guests. They enjoyed an exclusive access-all-areas insight into the future of #electricsingleseaterracing. Their visit included introductions to teams and officials and a workshop on the pioneering GEN4 single-seater, set to make its competitive debut in Season 13, offering a glimpse into the championship’s #innovative technical roadmap. Since its inaugural race in Beijing almost a decade ago, the return of #FormulaE to #China underscores the series' commitment to advancing #sustainablemotorsport. Congratulations to Antonio Da Costa of the Porsche Formula E Team for delivering a masterclass in controlled performance, storming to victory with a confident display after fending off a fierce challenge. Cheers to the organizers for making this a spectacular event! Here's to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in #electricracing. Oli McCrudden Formula E ️ For more details click:  https://lnkd.in/dr6-STq9 #ShanghaiEPrix #FormulaE #China #ShanghaiInternationalCircuit #Electrified #CuttingEdgeTechnology #Sustainability #ElectricVehicles #Motorsport #Innovation #RenewableEnergy #ElectricRacing Talks about #FormulaE #ExtremeE #Tourism #Emobility #ElectrifyingAfrica #ElectricVehicles #CorporateGovernance #InternationalBusinessDevelopment #Motorsports #Ecommerce #Trade #InternationalTrade

Want to import a car directly from the USA but you don't know where to start? We got you covered! Here's a list of platforms where you can find the best deals on the market. #EasyImportAuto #CarPurchaseUSA #ExportCarsEurope #BestPriceAuto #USACarDeals 

Exciting Times for New Automotive Brands in Europe!   As the primary contact at Autovista Group for emerging car manufacturers breaking into the European market, I have witnessed an incredible uptick in new entrants. Every day, I engage with representatives from China, but also from Vietnam, Turkey and of course the USA, and I have to say that the exchange of insights is truly enriching. It's great fun to learn from each other! However, a common misconception I often encounter is the perception of Europe as a single market. Despite harmonisation efforts, Europe comprises 44 distinct countries, each with its own unique cultural, economic, regulatory, and consumer landscape, that all need their own market entry strategies. Take, for instance, Europe's vast geography, ranging from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and the UK to Russia, resulting in diverse climates and driving conditions that significantly shape consumer automotive preferences. This wide variation of consumer tastes, also impacts preferences for car size, fuel efficiency, brand perception, and – of course - price sensitivity for both new and used cars. Moreover, distribution channels vary, spanning dealership networks to online platforms, while infrastructure and language diversity add further layers of complexity. And of course each European country has its own distinct traditions and preferences. Germans prioritise engineering excellence and reliability, while Italians lean towards style and performance for example. Navigating through distinct regulations on import tariffs and taxation remains a challenge across European countries. And finally, the European automotive market is fiercely competitive, with strong domestic and international brands striving for market share. To succeed in this dynamic landscape, tailored strategies adapted to local dynamics are crucial. Understanding country-specific competition and leveraging data-driven insights are paramount. At Autovista Group, we offer extensive automotive data across 20 European markets and Australia, coupled with market knowledge and experience, providing a powerful benefit for new entrants. If your new brand is ready for a jump start, please do not hesitate to reach out! 🌟 #Autovista24 #Automotive #Europe #MarketEntry #NewBrands #DataDrivenSuccess #BYD #Denza #Yangwang #Changan #Deepal #Chery #Omoda #Jaecoo #Dongfeng #Voyah #FAWGroup #Hongqi #Geely #GuanzhouAuto #Aion #Skywell #Leapmotor #LiAuto #Nio #Alps #Firefly #Saic #MG #Maxus #IM #Xpeng #Izera #Fisker #Lucid #Rivian #Vinfast #Togg