The NB name is well known throughout the province starting out many decades ago as a big retail supplier of groceries over the then Western-Transvaal as it was known in those years. In later years, this family business grew dramatically and split up into different entities run by different family members.

NB Car Sales is owned and run by Naushad Hassim. Noshi is born and bred in Potchefstroom and is a trained CFA (Commercial Financial Accountant) who was one of the first full-time non-white students allowed to study at the then PU for CHE in 1988 or which is today known as North-West University. He is assisted in the business by his wife, Nadia, who has a B.Com Marketing degree behind her name.

“Over the years, our family has owned the piece of land on which NB Car Sales is situated today. It was a difficult time with Indian businesses removed to the industrial area in the so-called Indian plazas. We were the first non-white used-vehicle dealership (non-franchise) to operate in the city centre of Potchefstroom.” Noshi recalls.

“But to get back to the business of selling cars in and around Potchefstroom. We cover a broad range of vehicles, catering to buyers at the high end with dream cars such as Rolls Royce and Ferrari, to the more affordable entry-level vehicles starting at around R100 000 and everything in-between.”

“In addition, we have our very own workshop, looking after the vehicles to ensure that customers get the best possible value for their money. We believe the customer is king. By providing an excellent one-stop buying experience, we make customers part of our family.

“I recently had a customer returning for the 9^th vehicle purchased from us. He reminded me that the first vehicle he purchased at NB many years ago cost only R19 000.00. Good service brings customer retention, and this is what differentiates good dealers from average ones,” says Noshi.

“We are geared toward customer service and satisfaction. Although we leave the financing details to the F&I, we always consult the customer in the choice of finance house. We also do our utmost best to deliver the vehicle as quickly as possible and our current record stands at 45 minutes,” he tells Dealerfloor.

When asked about the now well-documented shortage of stock, especially new vehicles and the influence this has on the users’ side of the retail market, Noshi says it creates serious challenges.

“Because of the limited stock of new vehicles, lagging far behind the demand, little to no discounts can be offered. This, in turn, makes vehicles more expensive and is influencing buyers to rather buy used. It creates big demands on our side where the option to manoeuvre on price is far more limited and good stock is getting even more expensive.”

Noshi says the pandemic has had a definite effect on the buying power of regular consumers, but for a certain class of customer, buying on the higher end of the spectrum, it has obviously had less of an effect.

“To stay abreast, one also has to look at the new trends in the market and emerging customer demands. There is a noticeable shift away from the traditional family sedan toward the more rugged vehicles like bakkies and SUVs. This is no doubt influenced by the current state of our roads.

“At NB Car Sales, we strongly believe in operating as a family, which includes our valued staff. Our staff is our biggest asset, and we celebrate achievements and bereavements alike. I believe the pandemic has proven that life is short, but with hard work and perseverance, any business can thrive.”