In a unique venture, Japie Bester, the former Regional Director of the Penta Motor Group and Dealer Principal at various Penta new car dealerships, opened up a used vehicle dealership in partnership with Penta.

“Notwithstanding the busy and buzzing used car market in Klerksdorp, we spotted an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands,” Japie tells Dealerfloor.

“In addition to the used car divisions at our Suzuki, Renault and Mahindra dealerships in Klerksdorp, we can still attract more customers with a standalone used vehicle dealership. We will function under the banner and name of Penta Motor Group Approved Pre-owned Vehicles.

“In my 13 years in the automotive trade, of which the last eight years were in Klerksdorp, I have built a network of connections and established a good name and reputation in the different capacities that I operated in the Penta Motor Group. With this partnership between me and Penta, it created new opportunities,” Japie says.

“Our new brand dealerships will continue selling used cars, but we can move surplus stock from the dealerships, and we will function independently as a used car dealership with trade-inns, buy-outs and buying stock from our other dealerships outside Klerksdorp in North West.

“Our focus with Penta Motor Group Approved Pre-owned Vehicles will be on good quality cars that have been thoroughly checked by our workshop. Vehicles with not more than 120 000 km on the clock and less than 10 years old, will be our target. Later models with some of their warranty and/or service plan remaining will obviously be highly sought after.”

The dealership, which opened its doors just recently, sold six vehicles in its first week, which is a good indication that the business model is right on target. Japie tells Dealerfloor that the new dealership can accommodate up to 30 vehicles and that, although it is still in its infancy, it is already receiving a great deal of attention from prospective car buyers in the used car segment.

“What is also unique is that we can sell new vehicles from the Penta brand in Klerksdorp, through this dealership, indirectly making it another outlet that benefits potential car buyers.”

Japie concludes that the partnership between Penta and him will bear fruit and create another good vehicle-shopping experience for customers looking for a set of wheels with peace of mind assured.