Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited (MBSA) announces a key executive appointments within its Sales & Marketing and Aftersales operations.
Selvin Govender, currently responsible for Marketing and Sales for Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA), will take over the position of Vice President and Director for Marketing and Sales for Mercedes-Benz GDs Europe, Middle East & Africa (MBGD), effective 1 February 2023.
Commenting on Govender’s departure, Mark Raine, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Executive Director of MBSA said: “Govender has been synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz brand for over two decades and has been integral in leading the company’s enviable brand in the premium automotive sector and commercial success throughout his tenure.”
Govender’s tenure at Mercedes-Benz SA began in 2000 as a Key Accounts Manager and has since then held various appointments, including Manager: Certified Pre-Owned and Remarketing operations, National Sales Manager and Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars.
In 2021, he was appointed to the role of vice-president for Marketing and Sales at MBSA. In his role, Selvin effectively advanced the brand objectives of MBAG to rejuvenate the Mercedes-Benz brand in Southern Africa, successfully leading the migration to a data driven marketing ecosystem and was instrumental in implementing the centralised marketing framework to support the direct sales model and e-commerce.
Paying tribute to Governder’s leadership, Raine added: “For 22 years, Selvin’s undisputed sale and marketing expertise have enabled MBSA’s success as the leader in the premium segment. His communication and interpersonal skills, interspersed with his strategic and commercial prowess, will stand him in good stead in the new role of Vice President and Director for Marketing and Sales for MBGD and enhance the international profile of our brand.”
A successor to Govender will be appointed and communicated in due course.
In regards to personnel changes within the Aftersales division, Alexandre Ferreira, currently Head of Customer Services MBC at MBSA will become Strategic Projects Lead MBC at Mercedes-Benz Brazil, effective 1 January 2023.
Ferreira joined Mercedes-Benz Brazil in 1996 and has, over his 26 year history with Mercedes-Benz, held various positions across passenger cars and commercial vehicles. His first foray into the Aftersales business was in 2009 when he was appointed Senior Manager for Dealer Network Development Brazil and Latin America.
In 2014, Ferreira assumed the Customer Services Director MBC position in Brazil, when the company witnessed consistent double digit revenue growth for five years. In January 2019 Alexandre embarked on his first international assignment as Customer Services Director MBC South Africa, with a focus in preparing the business for the future, right-sizing the network, piloting several projects in the Region Overseas and creating new revenue streams.
“MBSA would like to commend Ferreira for his commitment to the success of the Aftersales division and the transformation of our business to gear it for future growth and exceptional customer service, We wish him well with his new role of strategic importance in Brazil,” concluded Mark.
A successor to Ferreira will be appointed and communicated in due course.
