South African women are redefining resilience, creativity, and success in the automotive world. In celebration of Women’s Month, OMODA and JAECOO are spotlighting the increasing presence of women in leadership across the automotive industry.
Historically, society reduced the perception of women in motoring to stereotypes, but those days of jokes about women not knowing the difference between a spark plug and a hubcap are behind us.
Today, motoring companies widely recruit women, and they hold key leadership positions that shape the future of the sector. Within the Chery Group, three incredible women are trailblazing the head of the industry.
A Leader’s Journey in the Automotive Sector
National Parts Manager Sara Scherl worked her way up from being a receptionist at 18 years old, to leading Chery’s national parts division just 15 years later. “It is a challenging environment where parts availability is crucial to keep customers on the road,” she said, and emphasises qualities like collaboration and analytical thinking as essential to her role. “Slowly but surely. Diversity is visible across the automotive industry. It is refreshing to see more females in operational roles, especially in managerial operational roles.”
Advice for Women Entering the Automotive Industry
For women looking to delve into the automotive sector, Sara explains that persistence and resilience are also key qualities you need to hone to enjoy success. “Focus on learning the basics and building relationships with people who have the skills and expertise you can learn from, and do a lot of research on the specific industry that you are interested in.”
For Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager, a love of cars and the challenge of connecting with customers making life-shaping purchases drew her into automotive marketing. “Buying a car is a deeply considered decision,” she said.
Finance Manager Natasha Paji believes success requires more than numbers. “Taking ownership of cross-functional projects exposed me to operations, supply chain, and strategy. These are critical to finance,” she explained. For her, mentorship and representation are vital.
The Future for Women in Motoring
Together, these women prove that leadership, innovation, and resilience are breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation to take the mantle. Modern cars themselves are also helping drive this revolution. With servicing now centered on advanced computer systems rather than the untrustworthy “grease monkey” stereotype, the industry has become more accessible.
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