AUTOMOTIVE MARKETING

Volkswagen appoints new sales and marketing director for SA market

By our News Team | 2022

New appointee has extensive international experience in US and various European automotive markets.

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has appointed Thomas Milz as its new sales and marketing director at the helm of its National Sales Organisation (NSO).

Milz joined VWSA’s Board of Management effective from 1 December 2021. He has occupied various positions across the Volkswagen Group since 1997. His career spans roles in Germany, the USA, Middle East and Russia.

Prior to joining VWSA, he held the title of Director: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Countries.

Milz’s appointment follows the retirement of Mike Glendinning, who served as Sales and Marketing Director between 2018 and 2021, and spent a total of 37 years in service of the Volkswagen Group, having joined VWSA as a Graduate Trainee in 1985.

The new Volkswagen ID.Buzz concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, courtesy of Matti Blume via Wikimedia Commons

“We welcome Thomas’s appointment to our board of management,” said VWSA Chairman and Managing Director, Robert Cisek. “His wealth of experience across the Volkswagen Group will no doubt be invaluable to VWSA, and we look forward to seeing the impact of his contributions.”

Auto brands look to increase electric vehicle penetration

The appointment comes at a time when automotive brands across Africa must work to increase the market penetration of electric vehicles.

Penetration on the continent is low, partly due to vehicle cost and the lack of suitable infrastructure. However, international demand and regulatory pressure in key overseas countries is forcing the auto industry to offer consumers more and more models that do not rely on the internal-combustion engine.

Last year, VW worldwide delivered more than 369,000 electric vehicles. This is still a small percentage of its total passenger vehicle sales, which numbered 4.9-million. However, electric vehicle manufacturing in 2021 was hampered by a worldwide shortage of semiconductors, which are an essential component.

In March this year, VW is scheduled to launch the production version of its new ID.Buzz, an electric vehicle first showcased as a concept model at the Paris Motor Show way back in 2016. The company now offers an electric-powered option in almost every market segment in which it competes.

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