An unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility

Leading the charge in sustainable automotive solutions, WesBank, South Africa’s foremost provider of innovative vehicle and asset solutions, once again takes the spotlight as one of the headline sponsors of the second iteration of the naamsa SA Auto Week, scheduled to take place from 11 to 13 October at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand. Under the overarching theme of “Reimagining the Future Together: Driving an industry of the future, TODAY,” WesBank’s participation at this year’s event reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility and the transformation of the automotive landscape, firmly establishing its presence at this pivotal event in the automotive world.

“We are thrilled to once again be part of this transformative event, as we collaboratively envision the future of our industry. SA Auto Week has emerged as a pivotal platform for industry stakeholders to engage in the discussions that will define the path forward for the automotive sector in South Africa and beyond,” enthused Ghana Msibi, CEO of WesBank.

WesBank understands that the journey towards decarbonisation extends far beyond vehicle finance. The company’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond its core business operations. South Africa, endowed with abundant natural resources, including coal, natural gas, wind, and potential for solar power, holds a unique position to lead the continent in mitigating climate change. The country’s automotive industry, one of the largest in Africa and a significant contributor to the domestic economy must transition swiftly and successfully to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).

However, the adoption of NEVs in South Africa faces several challenges, including product availability constraints, heightened levels of range anxiety, ownership costs, electricity supply reliability, and a general lack of understanding of the technology.

WesBank shares event organiser naamsa’s vision for a transformed and sustainable automotive industry. The theme for the three-day thought leadership conference, “Reimagining the Future Together: Driving an industry of the future, TODAY,” mirrors WesBank’s perspective on the future of the mobility ecosystem. As a headline partner, WesBank aims to be a key driver in propelling the local automotive sector into the future by fostering innovation and collaboration among industry stakeholders. In this vein, Declan Jones, WesBank Head: nav», Marketplace & Ecosystems & CX, will represent WesBank at a panel discussion at the event.

In line with FirstRand’s commitment to addressing climate change, WesBank plays a pivotal role in achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) maturity. The organisation actively supports sustainable asset finance initiatives, including rooftop solar funding products and electric forklift projects.

WesBank continues to promote New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and environmentally-conscious, innovative solutions, through partnerships with manufacturers, distributors, and dealers, fostering growth in the hybrid and fully-electric vehicle segments. Despite the challenges posed by NEV adoption in South Africa, WesBank is currently facilitating financing for vehicles in this category.

To accelerate the transition to sustainable living and reduce carbon footprints, WesBank encourages individuals to make small, impactful changes in their work, homes, and communities. These collective efforts are instrumental in advancing the climate change agenda and ensuring a greener future for generations to come.

“As we come together to “Reimagine the Future Together” at SA Auto Week, WesBank stands at the forefront, driving the automotive industry of tomorrow today. Together, we can shape a more sustainable, innovative, and forward-thinking automotive landscape for South Africa,” says Msibi.