Triton brings the challenge to competitors
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
- Product News
- 21 November 2024
Bates Motors, the KwaZulu-Natal-based authorised Isuzu franchisee, has expanded into the Gauteng market.
The dealer group has entered the Gauteng market through the acquisition of 100% percent of the shareholding in Isuzu Truck World in Kempton Park for an undisclosed amount.
The transaction follows the acquisition of the entire Bates Motors business by Isipho Capital Motors two years ago.
This means that both Bates Motors and Isuzu Truck World are now 100% black-owned - and 65% black women-owned - businesses.
Isipho Capital Chairwoman Fortunate Mdanda says they are pleased to increase their investment in the Isuzu brand.
“We believe the acquisition of Isuzu Truck World is a testament to our commitment to the transformation agenda in the South African automotive sector - a commitment we share with Isuzu Motors South Africa,” she says.
Isuzu Truck World, located in close proximity to the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis at the corners of Great North Road and Deodar Street in Pomona in Kempton Park, is responsible for the sales and service of Isuzu’s complete range of medium, heavy and extra-heavy trucks, busses, D-MAX bakkies and mu-X SUVs.
The new Isuzu D-MAX bakkie will be launched early next year together with the launch of Isuzu’s next generation trucks, all of which are locally manufactured in Struandale in Gqeberha. This follows Isuzu in 2019 announcing it would be investing R1.2 billion in its next generation bakkie programme in South Africa for the South African and sub Saharan Africa markets.
The decision secured 1 000 jobs directly at Isuzu’s operations in Gqeberha and across its national and international dealer network and about 25 000 jobs at its hundreds of suppliers across the country.
The transaction between Bates Motors and Isuzu Truck World has been funded through a combination of both own equity and debt through the newly launched Automotive Investment Transformation Fund (AITF), which focuses on the acceleration of transformation in the South African automotive value chain.
Isuzu Motors South Africa is one of the seven founding automotive manufacturers of the AITF.
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
JAC Motors added ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to its X200 2.8L TDI 1.5-tonne single-cab, enhancing safety for both the crew and cargo. This latest upgrade complements the ABS-equipped X200 1.3-tonne double-cab targeted at organisations with labour-intensive crews.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
One of the latest Chinese automotive brands to establish itself in South Africa, GAC Motor, is benefitting from the expertise of well-known motor groups in the country, like the BB Motor Group.
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