So says newly appointed Dealer Principal at Hino Pomona, Edmund Veeriah, who will now lead the first 100% Black-owned Hino dealership in the country, owned by Isipho Capital.

Edmund is not new to the group and has been overseeing the dealership and conducting business development since it was bought from the Motus Group last year. Hino Pomona is located on the R21, in close proximity to the OR Tambo International Airport, as well as various manufacturing hubs.

“Before joining Isipho Capital, I worked at Hino South Africa for almost 17 years, as National Manager for Government and Tender Sales followed by a 6-year stint at MAN as Eastern Region National Manager: Government Sales,” he tells Dealerfloor.

He says although living on the ‘other side of the fence’ is different, his OEM background serves him very well in the retail space and fosters a better understanding of the complete Hino truck value chain, of which Pomona is an integral part.

“During my time at Hino SA, I did get the opportunity to visit dealerships, which helped me understand that part of the business better. Being on this side of the truck business now, also allows me to act as a sounding board for colleagues at the OEM, creating a better understanding of our needs, processes and challenges.

“In turn, we get great OEM support, owing to the good and dual informative relationship, which will ultimately benefit all Hino customers. I can add to this the product knowledge from Hino that I have acquired over the years assisting me to deliver the best possible service in this position,” Edmund says.

We asked him what the most important aspects in the truck trade are today. “When someone buys a car, it is an emotional decision as you choose the brand, the model, the colour and the specifications. Buying a truck is purely a business decision as it is a tool for work. A truck owner only gets emotional if his trucks are not working as it means he loses income.

“That is why downtime is any truck owner’s worst nightmare, even for a routine procedure like a vehicle service. We deliver around-the-clock service, working over weekends and after hours to get trucks back on the road as quickly as possible.

“For more serious repairs, we have a turn-around strategy of not more than 48 hours, although in some worst-case scenarios it could be longer. With routine service and no extra issues, we can have the truck out within three to four hours,” Edmund tells Dealerfloor.

He says they are excited about the expansion of the Hino range with the new 700 Series finding its feet in the Extra Heavy Vehicle segment, not so much for long haul transport but for shorter distances. “We provide seven free services with each new truck sold and compared to some European trucks, the Hino 700 is fully specced as standard,” he adds.

Asked about the latest turmoil in the international economy, especially within the automotive retail environment, Edmund says that anything affecting the parent company of any brand will eventually be felt at dealership level in South Africa.

“The international uncertainty around the US tariff announcements, as well as the local budget and government issues, make customers cautious when it comes to replacing vehicles. Delaying purchase decisions is where it will hurt dealerships.

“Nevertheless, I remain optimistic and positive about the future and believe we will overcome obstacles at all levels with great tenacity as they play out in the near future,” Edmund concludes.