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
Mitsubishi Motors has expanded its footprint in Africa with the opening of a new dealership in the capital of Botswana.
The brand was previously represented in that country by a service centre, which has now become a full-fledged sales and service outlet for both new and used Mitsubishi vehicles.
“BB Motors, which is run by the Bhamjee family, approached Mitsubishi Motors South Africa – as the African representative of the brand – towards the end of 2020 for the rights to upgrade its existing Mitsubishi Motors Service Centre to a dealership,” explained Nic Campbell, General Manager of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA).
The new facility, known as Mitsubishi Motors Gaborone, is owned and managed by the BB Motors group and includes a showroom for new vehicle sales, as well as a comprehensive workshop.
The Bhamjee family, owners of BB Motors, has been in the motor industry for over 40 years, and Zain Bhamjee will take up the role as Dealer Principal.
“We believe in the importance of an honest relationship with our customers, and it is on this belief that we have built our brand. We will always be open and honest about our products and services,” Bhamjee commented.
The team is extremely excited about the new dealership after gaining valuable experience running the service centre over the past few years. “We are proud to be able to offer all new models – from the Eclipse Cross, ASX and Outlander to the Triton and Pajero Sport to customers in Botswana,” boasted Sales Manager, Nelson Moremedi. “We are confident that we will sell four or more new vehicles a month from the start and will offer a wide range of used Mitsubishi vehicles as well.”
According to Campbell, MMSA does not have a share in the Botswana dealership: “MMSA has 58 dealerships and service centres in Southern Africa and assists with dealerships or service centres in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland. Lesotho is served by the Ladybrand branch. We are also represented in Malawi and Zambia.”
MMSA also operates a Mitsubishi service centre, Mitsubishi Motors Molapo, in Tlokweng Road, Gaborone. This means that Mitsubishi owners and prospective buyers now have access to almost 60 dealers and service centres across Southern Africa.
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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If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
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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