Scrapping of VAT increase, widely welcomed
The National Treasury’s announcement on the scrapping of the proposed increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT) has been widely welcomed.
- Industry News
- 24 April 2025
Call it a job well done or maybe more of a masterclass performance. This is some of the ways to describe CMH Honda Hatfield’s recently winning the overall Honda Dealer of the Year award.
Not only did Honda Hatfield win the top accolade as well as the Category B title, but it out-sold all other Honda dealers in the country in terms of the number of units over the last financial year.
In fact, it sold more units than larger dealerships in other categories and accounted for roughly 10% of all Honda sales in South Africa.
“We are proud and privileged for this recognition as it shows what hard work, dedication, planning and skilful and motivated staff can achieve. We really rolled up our sleeves and made sure that across all aspects of the business, we delivered more than what was expected,” Francois Robbertse (main photo), Dealer Principal at Honda Hatfield, tells Dealerfloor.
“In today’s challenging business conditions, fierce competition from a number of new brands entering the market and stock issues with certain models, we still managed to do exceptionally well. We are competing in a difficult section of the market that has a number of serious competitors, and from a price point of view, it is also challenging.
“Our approach to render the best service possible across the spectrum from selling to after-sales and service yielded positive results for us with good customer retention and the adding of new customers to the brand and to our dealership,” Francois says.
Asked about the challenges the brand faces with sales volumes compared to competitors, Francois tells Dealerfloor that more price sensitive products in other market segments would be welcome, but they play as best as they can with the hand they are dealt. “There is always something new on the horizon, and the quality of our product and service is what we rely on,” he says.
Francois, who has been at the dealership for five years, says he believes good relationships across the spectrum, from his staff, customers to the relevant OEM are the foundation of success. “I am a firm believer in doing it and doing it now. No reason to wait or sit around. Get on and get the job done now. The results will follow,” he concludes.
The National Treasury’s announcement on the scrapping of the proposed increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT) has been widely welcomed.
A Cape Town vehicle repairer, who has had a consumer’s vehicle for almost two years and failed to complete repairs to the vehicle by an agreed date, has been fined R100 000 by the National Consumer Tribunal and ordered to refund the vehicle’s owner the R77 000 he paid for the repairs.
Widespread rains over large parts of South Africa recently led to rivers breaking their banks and, in some cases, flooding streets and homes. The volume of water has raised concerns among agricultural economists over possible damage to crops.
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You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
Inefficiency in a dealership is often not that obvious and that is why it is difficult to identify and address.
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