Cast of industry leaders for Nigeria auto summit

As the 2014 Nigeria automotive summit taking place next week Monday gathers momentum, there are strong indications that a stellar cast of industry leaders has been confirmed as speakers at the event. Some of the high-profile players in the industry come from both the local and international industry community.

They include Olusegun Aganga, minister of industry, trade and investment; Aminu Jalal, director- general, National Automotive Council; Chris de Kock, CEO of WesBank; Mike Whitfield, managing director, Nissan South Africa, and Markus Thill, senior vice president of Robert Bosch GmBh.

Others are Rajinder Malhan, director, Hyundai Motors Nigeria; Hufzaifah Ilias, director, Africa operations, G.U.D. Holdings; Mike Vincent, West Africa advisory leader, Deloitte; Bart van Dijk, partner, AT Kearney, and Olusegun Awolowo, CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

Meanwhile, as Nigeria gears up for a surge in domestic vehicle production, the industry also needs to be prepared to facilitate the purchase of these vehicles by the local consumers. At the automotive summit, delegates will hear a keynote presentation from Chris De Kock, CEO of WesBank, titled “The Evolution of Vehicle Finance.”

He is expected to explain how vehicle finance has evolved from the 1960, to present day with specific emphasis on how technology has improved the finance experience for the customer. He will also delve into the evolution of credit and the science behind it.

WesBank is a global company with successful operations throughout Africa as well as the United Kingdom. It is acknowledged as the leader in vehicle and asset finance in South Africa, with over 40 years’ experience and ZAR145 billion in assets currently under management.

WesBank focuses on providing secured finance to the retail and corporate markets as well as related services such as insurance, fleet management and full maintenance rental. The company is the partner of choice for over 60 leading international brands in fields such as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), insurance providers and oil companies.

Among other benefits, the summit will highlight opportunities for investment, joint ventures, industrial infrastructure development, vehicle sales, technology development, education and training.

Organisations expected at the event will include Nissan, General Motors, Renault, World Bank Group, G.U.D. Holdings, CFAO Motors Nigeria, AT Kearney, Hyundai, Deloitte, Ashok Leyland, Peugeot Nigeria, Tata Africa, and Michelin.

MIKE OCHONMA