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Subaru Southern Africa is highly rated

Subaru Southern Africa, the importer and distributor of Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles in the sub-continent and an entity jointly owned by Barloworld Automotive and Toyota Tsusho Corporation since October 2008, has achieved a Level Five contributor rating in terms of its Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). The certification was awarded to SSA in December 2009, following a comprehensive audit of the business by ratings agency, Empowerdex.

“This puts us in the top echelon as far as automotive OEMS are concerned, and follows a detailed look at our internal controls as well as our socio-economic commitments and skills developments,” says Subaru Southern Africa’s  Financial Director, Michael Reimers. “BBBEE has long been, in the South African economic and political environment, a business imperative and we hold the view that progressing toward the objectives laid out in the BBBEE code is critical to the country’s success.”

The code comprises of seven elements: ownership, management control, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socio economic development. Each element provides a separate set of challenges and by putting a dedicated strategy in place Subaru Southern Africa was able to address these challenges. Achieving a Level 5 rating places Subaru Southern Africa  at the forefront of the motor industry, and gives the company the ability to confidently operate in all strata of the South African business environment.    

“Empowerdex is a respected compliance operator in the BBBEE environment and the award confirms the company’s underlying strategic objectives of being the “Best Brand” for our customers, staff, society, principals and shareholders.   We hope that the commitment the company has made to the process will be acknowledged by the public, drawing new customers to the Subaru brand and its great range of vehicles,” concluded Mr Reimers.