The past year can aptly be described as one which, while tough, had some really good highlights. As expected, we experienced the impact of a recessionary economy which bit down hard on the auto industry. On the upside though, we are delighted with a number of superb achievements and awards. It was due to the resilience of our employees and teams, and the efforts of our stalwart dealers, that we managed to hold sway in many of our sales segments as far as market shares are concerned.
Furthermore we reached the impressive Level 5 BBBEE contributor status ahead of most of our competitors; the Synovate survey named our plant as the best car manufacturer in South Africa; the Sunday Times Annual Brand Survey tipped our Mercedes-Benz car brand as the best; we became the first commercial vehicle OEM to train 59 drivers for the broader industry, giving 59 families the means to be employed and earn a fixed income; and, at our East London plant we managed to reduce our carbon footprint by 15%, ahead of plan for 2009.
The main highlight of the year was, however, the J.D. Power initial quality gold award where we outclassed all the plants in Europe, Africa and America. It is on these occasions that we are reminded that we are eminently capable of achieving what we set out to do.
Dr Hansgeorg Niefer, CEO of MBSA
