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Mario A. Spangenberg

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Mario A. Spangenberg
Mario A. Spangenberg

Join Port Elizabeth and MyPE in congratulating Mover and Shaker, Mario A. Spangenberg from GMSA:

Visiting GM’s operations in Dubai with GM President Dan Ammann, Jacoby announced the formation of the new GM Africa and Middle East Operations, to be headed by Mario A. Spangenberg, the current GM Africa president and managing director, from June 1, 2015.

Combining its Africa and Middle East Operations into one business unit better positions General Motors (GM) to maximize the opportunities in the region, GM Executive Vice President and President, GM International (GMI), Stefan Jacoby said today.

“Combining GMI’s operations in two key markets will enable us to increase our focus on our business, our brands and ultimately our customers,” said Jacoby. “It will strengthen GM’s competitiveness in major country markets such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya.”

He added, “As part of a larger global strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and maximize shareholder value, we’re focusing our investments where the opportunity for GM’s growth is greatest. With a growing middle class and rising disposable incomes, GMI’s mix of nearly 100 emerging and mature markets represents one of GM’s largest opportunities.”

In 2014, GM Africa sold 185,500 vehicles and GM Middle East Operations sold 98,200 vehicles.

According to Spangenberg, both the Middle East and Africa regions are significant growth opportunities for the company.

“The Middle East is the fastest-growing vehicle market outside the BRICS nations,” he said. “It is expected to grow to more than 2 million units by 2020. Furthermore, we regard Africa as the next frontier for our industry and we expect impressive growth into the future.”

In his new role as president and managing director of GM Africa and Middle East Operations, Spangenberg will maintain offices in Dubai, UAE, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The business unit will be headquartered in Dubai.

He will be supported by GM Egypt and North Africa Managing Director Tarek Atta; GM East Africa Managing Director Rita Kavashe; Ian Nicholls, who will be appointed president and managing director, GM Sub-Saharan Africa Operations; and a new GM Middle East Operations president and managing director, to be announced in due course.

The current GM Middle East Operations president and managing director, Maurice Williams will repatriate to the United States to take up the position of general manager of sales support for GM, effective June 1, 2015.

Submitted by: Lunga Ntsedwana on behalf of GMSA.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.