Volkswagen
Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane was the guest speaker at the South African Auto week at Kyalami on Wednesday where he addressed the important and unavoidable global transition to electric vehicles.
This is the industry's premium leadership conference where industry giants get together in South Africa.
Mabuyane asked what it could mean for the Eastern Cape, especially Mercedez Benz, Volkswagen South Africa and the Ford Engine plant.
He said the province’s quest to position itself on this transition is part of a parliamentary process that seeks to conclude the White Paper on New Energy Vehicles.
Mabuyane said the country could not afford to lose the existing export markets and called on the three provinces, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng to work together to assist the Department of International Trade and Industry to address their needs for the benefit of the country.
"Mercedes Benz exports over 90% of its production to international markets, who have already confirmed globally that they will not be consuming Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles beyond 2035. VWSA on the other hand will benefit in the future if these key investments are executed in our province, " he said.
"I will ensure that investments that are supporting the transition to Electric Vehicles are put in place. I will ensure that the Eastern Cape does not lose its competitive advantage as a destination in the country for the automotive industry, Mabuyane concluded.
