CHINA’S
Volvo-owning Geely has appointed Henri Meistre (46) as managing director of
Geely South Africa.
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| From GWM to Geely, Henri Meistre aims to grow the dealership to 50. |
Meistre
is a 20-year veteran of the South African motor industry, who brings with him an
in-depth knowledge of the Chinese automotive industry and its product.
He is
also an experienced retailer, who is passionate about the motor industry.
Meistre
joined WesBank as a senior business-development manager, before spending several
years with Hyundai as a marketing executive.
This
was followed by a spell running his own dealer-retail company, which is still in
business today, and has held various franchises, including Daewoo-SsangYong,
Kia, Subaru, Daihatsu and GWM. In 2005, he became a shareholder and managing
director of Great Wall South Africa, a position he has relinquished recently. He
has also consulted with China Construction Bank/Rand Asia Trade Finance on the
auto industry, with particular reference to Changan.
Meistre
said Geely would next launch the SC5, a 1,5-litre hatch that will compete in an
aggressive segment of the market against the likes of the VW Polo Vivo, Ford
Figo and Renault Sandero. Towards the end of 2013, we plan to introduce our
first SUV, the GX7, which was launched at this year’s Beijing Motor Show.
His next aim is to grow the SA Geely dealerships from the current two dozen to 50 across South Africa.
