David Hughes, currently Mazda Australia’s West Australian state manager, has been selected to set up a new national sales company for Mazda in South Africa after an agreement that will see the end of the current Mazda-Ford distribution partnership there in about 12 months.
As the latest of a number of Mazda Australia executives chosen to fill key international roles by Mazda Motor Corporation, Hughes’ work to establish the new national sales company begins immediately.
Expected to utilise many of the systems and processes that have been successful for Mazda Australia, Hughes will spend the next 12 months building a solid foundation on which to grow the Mazda brand in South Africa.
David Hughes’ career with Mazda Australia has spanned 18 years in three stints, and the valuable experienced gained over this time made him a prime candidate to lead this new venture.
Hughes’ Mazda career started in 1985 in the West Australian State Service operation before moving on in 1992 to the role of national aftersales manager for the then new Eunos Sales channel.
In 1996, after Eunos was closed, Hughes left Mazda and worked his way up to general manager at Kia Australia.
Hughes returned to Mazda as West Australian state manager in 2003 and during this third stint he also performed successfully in the role of national sales manager from 2006 to 2011.
The significance of this new appointment isn’t lost on Mazda Australia’s managing director, Martin Benders.
“It is a source of great pride that Mazda Motor Corporation has again looked to Mazda Australia for a suitable person to set up this totally new operation, recognition of the successful business model created in this market.
“We wish David every success in his new role and we will be happy to provide him with any necessary support required in establishing the new NSC in South Africa,” he said.
Hughes will be relocating to Johannesburg in the near future and is already in the planning phase with Mazda Motor Corporation.
An announcement on his replacement as West Australian state manager will be made in a separate announcement in due course.
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