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www.automobil.co.za
September 2023
aval Motors South Africa (HMSA) has an-
nounced an investment in the Automobile
Association (AA) Technical College and its
continued support for this venture by supplying
New Energy Vehicle (NEV) components to the
College, and by contributing to practical and cur-
riculum development on NEV technology in asso-
ciation with the AA.
As a world leader in vehicle battery technology
through SVOLT, a company wholly owned by Ha-
val’s parent company Great Wall Motors (GWM),
the brand recognises that the introduction of
new energy vehicles to the local market requires
not only infrastructure and Government policy to
grow and develop, but also skills development.
“Electric and hybrid electric vehicles require
special skills, safety, training and equipment to
service and work, and this totally transforms the
role and skills required by vehicle technicians,”
says Yusuf Patel, Head of Aftersales at Haval Mo-
tors South Africa.
“HMSA recognises this and as we are well
positioned in the NEV space and want to be the
pioneers of driving skills development for New
Energy Vehicles in the local industry, in particular
where it is not being addressed by Government
or the industry,” adds Patel
In addition to a variety of services the Automo-
bile Association also offers specialised apprentice-
ships to help motor industry players build in-house
skills, and short skill courses for individuals.
“It could not have come at a better time. The
curriculum for the technical college is currently
being updated by the Department of Education
and part of the new curriculum is an introduction
to Electric Vehicles as well as Hybrid Vehicles,”
says Werner Wandrey, Principal of the AA Tech-
nical College.
“With this donation we will undoubtedly be
one of the first training facilities that supports
actual modules, not only in theory but with prac-
tical tasks and exhibitions in this new technology.
We can therefore train our learners way ahead
of time before EVs and hybrid vehicles become
mainstream in our market. We are very grateful
for this donation,” says Wandrey.
Haval announces new energy
investment in the AA
.U.D. Holdings have announced the ap-
pointment of Devan Naidoo as its new
Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1st
August 2023.
Devan Naidoo joins G.U.D. Holdings with an
impressive background and a wealth of experi-
ence gained during his extensive career with the
Mondi Group. He began his journey with Mondi
in 1997 at their Durban operations and has since
held various leadership positions within the
company. Most recently, he served as the Group
Director responsible for global sales, marketing,
and supply chain at Mondi Paper. Devan was in-
strumental in designing and implementing the
commercial strategy for Mondi Paper on a global
scale.
G.U.D. Holdings is confident that Devan
Naidoo’s appointment will be a significant asset
to the organisation, playing a vital role in guiding
the group towards achieving its future goals.
G.U.D. Holdings
appoints new CEO
INDUStrY NeWS