Isuzu appoints new team members:

WITH the transition from General Motors South Africa (GMSA) operations to a 100% Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSA) production entity nearing completion, Isuzu has announced senior leadership appointments for South Africa, which will come into effect in January.

The new appointments, which along with Isuzu’s purchase of GM’s 30% shareholding in Isuzu Trucks South Africa are subject to various regulatory approvals, follow GM’s announcement in May that it was to withdraw from the South African market by year-end.

Having earlier revealed the senior leadership which would manage the company during the transition phase, IMSA has now named its executive committee.

Johan Vermeulen was appointed to executive manufacturing and supply chain.

He is currently the paint shop manager for the GMSA Struandale plant.

Prior to this, he was head of manufacturing engineering and facilities for eight years.

In his new role, he will be responsible for the manufacturing and supply chain operations for Isuzu.

Dominic Rimmer has been appointed to executive technical services.

He is currently general manager of planning and programme management for GMSA, incorporating business and product planning for the company’s operations on the continent.

Prior to this, he served for four years as engineering group manager in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and before that as vehicle performance manager.

He will be responsible for the company’s planning, engineering and purchasing operations as well as the quality of Isuzu vehicles.

Craig Uren has been named executive officer sales, service and marketing.

Uren is currently IMSA director and chief operating officer.

He has played an instrumental role in ensuring the success of Isuzu’s truck business in South Africa over the past 12 years, including the achievement of the number one market share position in the medium and heavy commercial truck segments of the market.

He will assume vehicle, sales, service and marketing responsibility for Isuzu’s light commercial vehicle and truck operations.

James Rodger has been appointed to executive finance operations.

He is currently the product finance manager for GMSA.

He has served in various finance roles for more than 13 years.

Loren Meyer was named as chief information officer.

He has served in this capacity for GM in Africa SA since 2014 and has been responsible for information technology strategy and operations.

Denise van Huyssteen, general manager for communication and public relations for GM’s operations in Africa and the Middle East, has been appointed to executive corporate affairs.

She will assume responsibility for corporate affairs, incorporating internal and external communications as well as government relations.

She first joined the automotive industry in 2000 through her appointment as corporate communications manager for the Delta Motor Corporation.

Elvis Hermans has been named executive human capital.

He currently serves as general manager, human resources, government relations and public policy for General Motors in South Africa.

In his new role, he will be responsible for human resources strategy and operations.

Chris Jonck will take up the position of executive subsidiaries, joint ventures and commercial vehicles.

He is currently general manager, group finance and planning, for Isuzu Trucks South Africa.

He will assume responsibility for the financial operations of Isuzu’s subsidiaries, joint venture businesses and truck finance.