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
A well-known player in the pre-owned car market, Botha & Deysel Executive Motors, has extended its footprint to the West Rand with the opening of a new dealership in Roodepoort.
Botha & Deysel started out in Vereeniging and quickly established itself as a serious and reputable used car dealership 41 years ago. Since then, it has also opened a branch in Vanderbijlpark, and it has a presence on the East Rand in Boksburg as well as some smaller satellite dealerships.
The Vereeniging dealership remains the hub of business with all the preparation of the vehicles and administration done there before despatching them to the other dealerships.
The new dealership, located adjacent to Hendrik Potgieter Road in Roodepoort where a number of new vehicles dealerships reside, opened its doors in January this year. It occupies the premises previously held by a Hyundai dealership.
“We are currently renting the premises and do have an empty property close by that we could turn into a full dealership at a later stage,” says Johan Prinsloo, Dealer Principal and Shareholder of the new Botha & Deysel dealership. Johan has been involved with Botha & Deysel Executive Motors for the last 13 years.
“It was a logical step for us to expand to this area, and we have been well-received here,” he tells Dealerfloor. Johan says that owing to the short period of time they have been operating in this area, they are still learning what buyers prefer in this region.
“With the synergy between all our branches, we can meet the specific needs of customers and have about 350 pre-owned vehicles available at any given time. Our location and our established name and reputation count very much in our favour at the new dealership.”
Asked about the difficulties experienced in the car market today, he says the same factors influencing the new car market also exist on the pre-owned side. “Our advantage is that we have a large variety available across the price spectrum to choose from.
“We are wary of very expensive vehicles and stick to brands and models that are well-known and in demand. The more established and well-known brands remain popular with us. And it goes without saying that you cannot go wrong with double cab bakkies as they are immensely popular and always in demand.
“Although our dealerships attract customers with different needs, buyers have the same requirements - a reliable car and value for their money,” Johan tells us.
He says they are proud of the new dealership and will increasingly make their presence felt. “As we finally find our feet with a large, established customer base with a variety of vehicles available that customers here want, we will be a force to be reckoned with in the pre-owned sector,” Johan concludes.
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
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.
Stellantis has announced the expansion of its multi-franchise dealer network with the addition of the Fiat and Jeep brands to the existing Westvaal Motor Group dealership in Klerksdorp in North West Province.