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Green Machines Under SAAW Conference Spotlight

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Key people and companies in the South African motor industry will be meeting in East London to discuss the risks and opportunities created by “green machines” for the local automotive sector.

“Renewable energy is transforming industry, and creating exciting new manufacturing and other market opportunities,” says convener Andrew Binning of Inkanyezi Event Organisers.

Local auto industry leaders will be participating in a workshop to discuss “how, when and on what scale this disruptive technology will make current technology and parts redundant – and who will control the drive train of the future.

“It will also look at opportunities for automotive component manufacturers and related industries to diversify,” he says.

SAAW 2011 is a precursor to the South African Automotive Week, to be held in Port Elizabeth from October 10 to October 13 2012.

“Carbon emissions, electric vehicles, alternative fuels and renewable energy are all factors dictating the future of transport around the world. Developments are happening so fast that our industry partners did not want to wait for next year to meet to strategise around the threats and opportunities,” says Binning.

The conference takes place in East London on August 25 and 26.

Speakers and participants include Bob Bond, who heads up a team that has designed a working hydrogen-powered tricycle, Optimal Energy’s Kobus Meiring, Eastern Cape MEC of Economic Affairs Mcebisi Jonas, National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) president and managing director of Volkswagen South Africa David Powels, Toyota South Africa chief executive officer Dr Johan Van Zyl, National Association of Automobile Components and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) executive director Roger Pitot, and professor L.J. Grobler, head of the Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency.

Chris Ettmayr of the East London IDZ and Gustav Meyer from the Coega IDZ will be “unpacking” the components required for the “burgeoning renewable energy in South Africa and on the rest of the continent,” and the opportunities this presents for the auto industry, says Binning.

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Siyathetha

Ed Richardson is the managing director and brain behind the Siyathetha brand and is rumoured to be one of the most effective weapons of mass communication in the Eastern Cape. See more articles by Siyathetha.