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GMSA gears up to export Hummer
Posted on: Thursday, 25 May 2006. Article source: Daily Dispatch
South Africa is proving to be the true gateway to Africa and the rest of the world for General Motors (GM).
The company’s plans to export South African-made Hummers to African countries, the Middle East, Asia and South America by the end of the year are going according to plan.
The GMSA’s Port Elizabeth plant is slated to export the Hummer to 33 countries. Currently, the company exports right-hand drive vehicles to sub-Saharan Africa countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya and Mauritius. It exports components to the United Kingdom, Chile, Sweden and Australia.
Last year, GMSA had 13,6% of total motor industry sales – a solid improvement on the 12,2% achieved in 2004.
GMSA president and managing director Robert Socia, said that in order to bolster its market share growth, the company would, in the near future, be introducing some exciting new products into the market. Through the R3bn Hummer deal, GMSA expected to create hundreds of additional jobs as well.
“We have started with the process of recruiting 500 new employees and are making significant investments in training and developing new and existing employees,” said Socia. However, GM Europe is set to cut 1000 jobs in England due to waning sales of its Opel/Vauxhall Astra range.
Operating in 32 countries, the parent company was confident that its South African operations had fully aligned systems and processes and was ready for the challenge.
“They did not just choose us for the sake of it. We had to adhere to a very high set of manufacturing standards to get this export deal, and we’re proud of that,” said GMSA communications manager Denise van Huyssteen.
The company would be investing just under R600m in upgrades and equipment for the production of the Hummer.
“As we stand today, over two months Hummer-production supply has already been committed in this market. This is quite a feat when you consider that the brand has not even been launched into our market yet.”
GMSA said it would first produce left-hand drive, but would also produce the right-hand drive for the South African market.
“We have not finalised its retail price yet, but it will be competitive with other models in its class including the Jeep Cherokee,” said Van Huyssteen. — With Sapa-AFP
The company’s plans to export South African-made Hummers to African countries, the Middle East, Asia and South America by the end of the year are going according to plan.
The GMSA’s Port Elizabeth plant is slated to export the Hummer to 33 countries. Currently, the company exports right-hand drive vehicles to sub-Saharan Africa countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya and Mauritius. It exports components to the United Kingdom, Chile, Sweden and Australia.
Last year, GMSA had 13,6% of total motor industry sales – a solid improvement on the 12,2% achieved in 2004.
GMSA president and managing director Robert Socia, said that in order to bolster its market share growth, the company would, in the near future, be introducing some exciting new products into the market. Through the R3bn Hummer deal, GMSA expected to create hundreds of additional jobs as well.
“We have started with the process of recruiting 500 new employees and are making significant investments in training and developing new and existing employees,” said Socia. However, GM Europe is set to cut 1000 jobs in England due to waning sales of its Opel/Vauxhall Astra range.
Operating in 32 countries, the parent company was confident that its South African operations had fully aligned systems and processes and was ready for the challenge.
“They did not just choose us for the sake of it. We had to adhere to a very high set of manufacturing standards to get this export deal, and we’re proud of that,” said GMSA communications manager Denise van Huyssteen.
The company would be investing just under R600m in upgrades and equipment for the production of the Hummer.
“As we stand today, over two months Hummer-production supply has already been committed in this market. This is quite a feat when you consider that the brand has not even been launched into our market yet.”
GMSA said it would first produce left-hand drive, but would also produce the right-hand drive for the South African market.
“We have not finalised its retail price yet, but it will be competitive with other models in its class including the Jeep Cherokee,” said Van Huyssteen. — With Sapa-AFP
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