Changing of guard as Van Zyl moves on

Hafkamp will be responsible for Daimler Trucks and Buses in the region.

Jasper Hafkamp

He joined Mercedes-Benz in the Netherlands in 1995 after studying business engineering at the College of Technology and Management and Organisation at the University of Groningen. He started in the commercial vehicle department in which he held various positions in marketing and product management for Mercedes-Benz Vans and Trucks. In 2008, he became responsible for the company's truck sales in the Netherlands before progressing to the position of MD Mercedes-Benz Trucks. During this period he was able to grow the market share from 10% in 2010 to the current 17%.

This success was based on a structured conquest programme, total cost of ownership approach and a further professionalisation of the truck dealer network.He also integrated Fuso Trucks sales in the MercedesBenz Trucks organisation.

Kobus van Zyl, current executive director for Daimler Trucks and Buses (and vice chairman of the heavy commercial vehicle division and bus forum for the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA, is pursuing a new and exciting career opportunity and assignment within the larger global Daimler organisation.

Van Zyl has been appointed as general manager for National Automotive Industries in Saudi Arabia, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz Trucks and EA Juffali and Brothers. His appointment is effective from 1 October and the local operation says that to ensure a smooth transition, he is remaining available for a handover period.

The Juffali Group is the Mercedes-Benz-appointed general distributor in Saudi Arabia where Van Zyl will be responsible for Mercedes-Benz trucks, vans, buses and special trucks, as well as Western Star and Freightliner trucks.

Van Zyl is described by Mercedes-Benz SA as having been a valuable member of the company team in various roles for the past 17 years. He joined Daimler in April 1999, having worked as a portfolio manager and financial analyst for various companies. He joined the financial services operations and then moved to sales and marketing.

Kobus van Zyl

He has been leading the commercial vehicles operations from a sales and marketing perspective since 2008.

Mercedes-Benz SA CEO Arno van der Merwe says: "We wish Kobus well in all his future endeavours. The Juffali Group is gaining a valuable member to their team and we look forward to welcoming Jasper to the management team of MercedesBenz SA."

Few will argue that Van Zyl has become a stalwart of the commercial vehicle industry in the southern Africa region. His product and industry knowledge is superb and he has been instrumental in driving the wider industry forward through his involvement with the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA.

Source: Business Day